A woven koha

An exhibition of graduate weavers from Te Wa¯ nanga o Aotearoa features a wide range of materials, with some unusual combinations.

The wananga’s Palmerston North campus has offered an arts degree in rararanga (weaving) for the past five years and Taylorjensen Fine Arts has hosted the exhibition for the past four years.

Eight students are involved in the exhibition, titled Tuia Te Tangata, which translates as ‘‘that which binds us’’, a reference to the materials employed and to the cohesiveness of the students who have shared the experience of training as Ma¯ ori weavers.

While harakeke (native New Zealand flax) is the main medium used in their studies other materials are making a showing at the exhibition.

Tracy Te Hemi, Ka¯ ti Wı¯wı¯, Ka¯ ti Pa¯ keha¯ , has split her studies between the South Island and Palmerston North campuses and has used corn husk, pine cones, kowhai seeds, leaf skeletons and paua shell in her creations, depicting earth, wind and fire.

‘‘I wanted to use some different things that I haven’t used before. I used tikumu, which is a mountain daisy from down south, and pı¯ngao. The pı¯ngao was being bulldozed up in some sand dunes at the time I was weaving and so it just sort of landed in my lap.’’

Adrienne Spratt, the degree kaiako who teaches the classes, said having four students from the South Island for the past few years has been great, as they bring new resources with them.

‘‘It means there is a reciprocal koha, because they bring and give their knowledge and the students always have their dreams, inspirations and ideas. Then mixed in with what we know it creates this. Knowledge not shared isn’t knowledge. Their tipuna are part of the journey as well and we just guide and lead them.’’

Another artist, Corabelle Summerton, Nga¯ i Tahu, Nga¯ ti Hako, Nga¯ ti Maniapoto, has explored the many types of poi in her works.

‘‘It’s been a journey about finding out about the poi, but also a journey about finding out about myself and acknowledged where I am from.’’

Tuia Te Tangata runs until November 24.

MURRAY WILSON/ STUFF Corabelle Summerton with poi she has made this year.