ARTIST’S CROWNING GLORIES GO ON DISPLAY
EXTRAVAGANT headpieces are becoming increasingly popular in the fashion business – but few could compete with these remarkable creations from Gold Coast artist WHAIA.
Her “wearable art” is on show at the Dust Temple in Currumbin as part of an exhibition with longtime friend Anaheke Metua which promises visitors a unique sensory experience.
“It’s quite a unique one (exhibition),” Anaheke said.
“I’ve explored woven sculpture with natural fibres, soft beiges, browns blonds and texture in the work. And then there’s the complementary work of WHAIA, more colourful and bold.
“There’s a sound installation, I put together my work, time lapse video footage of making my pieces, and mixed that with footage of birds flying and water and ripples and going through the water. It’s an oral, visual, textural – although it’s not there to touch – you can see the texture in it, and feel something.”
WHAIA said her love affair with wearable art stretched back many years.
“I have always been a musician and created wearable arts costumes,” she said. “I went to Melrose, LA and bought head pieces back to Australia. I’ve been making pieces ever since.
“Before I knew it, I was standing in a room full of heads. I had about 20 of them, and thought, if don’t share them, I’m being quite selfish. It’s time for me to start sharing and giving them wings and letting them fly.”
The NEST exhibition is on at Dust Temple in Currumbin until August 2.