Korowai

Black & Gold Korowai (shawl)

Anahera Korowai More

Anahera Korowai More

Kura Gallery Aotearoa Art + Design – we exhibit and sell an extensive range of original quality Maori and New Zealand made art and design that is unique to Aotearoa. Established in 1998 Kura has artspaces in both Auckland and Wellington and represents established and emerging Maori and New Zealand artists.

Just a small group meet this Saturday but we had managed some interesting work. We had one new lady start which was great and she is flying ...

Maro

I have started something new. I got bored the other day so started sorting feathers and found a bag of big peahen feathers that were languishing in the cupboard. Then it was making feather bundles till my fingers were had it. So I thought I'd better start something. By the end of the day I had it underway. The next afternoon I did some more. And yesterday afternoon some more. The feathers are actually quite big so my rows are further apart than usual and the bundles are further apart too…

Medium: muka (New Zealand flax fibre), natural dyes. Size: 7.5 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches (excl. handles). Natural dyes: Tānekaha bark (brown), Raurēkau bark (yellow) "The pattern intricately depicts the subtle ripples—aramoana of the Pacific Ocean. Kete Tāniko makes reference to the processes used to form this delicate basket.

Korowai

korowai close up again - Karmen Thomson

I was asked 'what is mawhitiwhiti?' Mawhitiwhiti is where the downward strings- the whenu- are crossed over each other in patterns and stitched in a different order. Here you can see groups of 5 paired whenu are crossed to make a pattern. This is done by holding the first of the five out of the way, stitching the fifth of the five first, then the second , third, and fourth, and then finally the first of the group of five is stitched. There are many patterns that can be produced by crossing…

Just another quick arapaki to use up some cut string before the big day. Used some rooster feathers that I already had bundled ages ago....

It's been a busy May but at last I've finished Paula's panelled cloak. She was pleased with it and it looked good on her. I've started extending another small cloak for a client and that seems to be going well. I'll be able to undo the top part and put taaniko in for her when I get up to there. I have extended it twice now and I'm sure it will be a good size now. And I've started Bill's pukeko Kakahu. I don't really like using pukeko but this seems to be going ok. One week in to June and…