Exhibition Wahine O Aotearoa - 3 Women Artists

The exhibition is part of the Tuhono Kerikeri 200 Bicentennial celebrations.

Our aim is to look at the ways in which the woollen blanket - a simple textile usually used as a bed-covering - played a role in New Zealand’s colonial history.

Open 7 days from 10th January to 29th February 2020.

About the exhibiting artists:
Ngā Wahine o Whangaroa
Three women (Frances Goulton, June Nathan, Awhirangi Lawrence), who participated in blanket patching during the Waitangi Tribunal Hearings, held in Whangaroa during 2014 - 2018 will exhibit some of their work. The blanket patches raise awareness about “What has been the Value of a Trade”, and explore different aspects of identity and issues surrounding the Treaty of Waitangi.

Mary Kelleher: Handmade Histories - Textile Storyteller - fb@kombinationsalvation
Handmade Histories are large mixed media murals used as educational resources for schools, museums and art galleries. Her mural ‘Manukau, Harbour of Stories’ is in the New Zealand Maritime Museum and its story is told by a costumed character called ‘Wise Bird of the Manukau’.

The Wise Bird’s costume - with a woollen rug as his wings - will be shown as well as two new costume installations, ‘Wahine o Aoteoroa’. These wahine costumes are inspired by the blending of European and Maori clothing worn in studio portrait photography of 19th Century New Zealand.

Tracey Stevens: Photographer
“In recent years I have been focusing on people, artistic portraits and things out of the norm. I use only natural light, I don’t photoshop imperfections, I believe I can make the true person beautiful in their own skins.”

Drawing inspiration from Mary’s textile artworks ‘Wahine o Aotearoa’, Tracey will be creating a series of photo portraits exclusively for the exhibition.