Whiriwhiria - Weavers Hit Wellington.
Experiencing at first hand the intricate crafts of Māori creators is exactly what Toi Māori’s current exhibition Whiriwhiria has to offer its observers. Situated on Tory Street at Toi Māori in Korea House, the works of a group of Māori weavers with connection to the town of Otaki on the Kapiti Coast are showcased. Each piece has a story to tell, reflecting on the heritage, culture and legacy involved with the art of weaving.
Toi Māori's managing director Tamahoe Temara and strategic advisor Anna-Marie shared that the best form of expression is when it is dynamic, the stories interlink with a different line of descent, yet it all comes together. Describing Toi Māori's role in ‘the eternal thread’ of Māori art. Acknowledging that Māori art forms from before our time are continued, the relationships are carried on and sustained “Being the process of picking up those threads again, with the same thought processes and connections.”
A simple glance at the featured pieces doesn’t quite encapsulate the multitude of detail and precision which weavers time and craftsmanship so cleverly create. Coming out of the exhibition provides a fresh perspective of an integral part of Māori culture and the distinct discipline that is weaving.
Having been disrupted by the pandemic countless times, and having to postpone four of their national events in 2021, Toi Māori knows well how to adapt to these unpredictable changes affecting the art world. Being an established organisation promoting contemporary Māori arts, their current exhibition Whiriwhiria was set to commence as part of the Wellington Fabrics Festival in early March. Due to the Omicron outbreak, the decision was made to extend the exhibition, now running from March 16th through to the 17th of June.
Anna-Marie said this decision was made to “share the quality, mastery and excellence with a broad audience.” Along with ensuring safety and allowing more Wellingtonians and those from further afield the privilege of encountering the weaver’s works. Their work is done “for and about the people” understanding that many of their master weavers and the extended outreach of the exhibition are elderly and the vulnerability this poses when exhibiting in amid a pandemic.
The exposure to works of this calibre is beyond what can be expected when attending an exhibition; the impressions, realisations and even the smell of the pieces demonstrate the true connection this Māori art has to the environment. The flax is cultivated, harvested and hand grown for the purpose of weaving, from beginning to end a form of nature is manipulated into utensils doubling as artworks.
The works of mother Charlene Fraser and her daughter Shaney Moreli feature in the exhibition, showcased side by side their Kete’s encapsulate the strength of relationships and interconnectedness of the group's members. Both demonstrate a different style and size yet signify the generational continuation of weaving. In which the techniques of ancestors are being carried through, still admired highly in the 21st century.
Both Kete were made in tribute to Sonia Snowden who Anna-Marie Describes as “the matriarch” of the exhibition. Her work being the first in the exhibition represents exactly why she is such a highly respected weaver nationally. Her name is uttered widely throughout Māoridom as a luxury brand. With pieces that embody beauty and style as well as expressing the artistry of the Kete. Her works recently featured in an exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery titled ‘Te Puna Waiora’ before arriving at Toi Māori and can be admired further in the ‘Te Puna Waiora’ book sold at Unity Books.
Whiriwhiria encapsulates the thinking, intellectual property and significance to Aotearoa of the Māori art of weaving and can be experienced within Toi Māori from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Fridays until June 17th.
Brydie Macbeth