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Nau mai, haere mai
Utua Pai! The Price of Change revitalises Māori art and craft through innovative public projects, fostering community collaboration while balancing historical imbalances and promoting cultural integrity and artistic excellence.
He Raukura [2019] Abodo thermally modified pine, CNC routed, stain. Commissioned by Wellington City Council for Waitohi, Johnsonville’s new library and community hub. Fabricated by Makers Fabrication, Lower Hutt. Much of my intricate weaving in copper and silver begins with a drawing. When I first started weaving, I studied objects and came to the realisation that if I can draw it I can weave it. The challenge with developing the work for Waitohi was being able to translate a woven surface to a carved surface using a series of line drawings.
The architecture of the building responds to the site and the historical relevance of Johnsonville. The layering of complex patterning within the eight entrance columns help to highlight the existing narratives in the building and reflect those which are not so overt. The stepping, plateaus, peaks and troughs, meandering through the pattern follow the path of the streams, river and people who have moved through the landscape. These patterns of usage will continue as the community connects with the spaces and new pathways are created.
Being of Taranaki descent, the raukura brings together a number of ideas and concepts which are of great importance to my jewellery and weaving practice. The raukura is a symbol of peace and harmony for tribes who affiliate to the Taranaki rohe. They are worn as a single feather or a plume of feathers.
An important part of making this work was to acknowledge the value of weaving and textiles within contemporary Māori art. The cut of the line is all in one direction which is specific to Raranga. The reverse patterns on the panels are multiple variations of the Nihotaniwha and Nihoniho. The saw-edged pattern is found in Tāniko and Tukutuku. I see the entrance to the building much like the Roro [porch] of a Marae, a space to converge, welcome and korero.