Artist’s statement
Gina Coatsworth
I really enjoy working with muka harvested from Wairewa where I live, and traditional dyes, especially the fact that I can create something from the environment around me and connect
to the
Meaning
Land, earth, placenta
This Meaning Bag or basket has Meaning Hand twisted single strand lengthwise or warp /io dyed with toatoa gifted by a friend who was harvesting rākau whawhai or fighting staffs. This tree grows in the alpine regions of Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island and is a brother to Meaning Celery pine tree-bark used to produce warm brown - Phyllocladus trichomanoides
I have used a Meaning Cross over pattern pattern of Meaning Step pattern a stepped cross-over pattern representing Meaning Air and refers to Meaning God of the forest, birds and mankind journey to the heavens to fetch the three Meaning Bag or basket of knowledge.
By immersing dyed
Meaning
Fibre extracted from harakeke (flax leaves)
Also known as: whiitau / whītau
into the warm ashes of my household ahi, the colour of the
Meaning
Celery pine - Phyllocladus toatoa
deepens and is more permanent. Wai also plays an essential part of extracting
Meaning
Fibre extracted from harakeke (flax leaves)
Also known as: whiitau / whītau
from
Meaning
Flax plant, native to Aotearoa New Zealand
Scientific name: Phormium tenax
as I need to use a
Meaning
Mussel
to do this.
The Meaning Spirit of everyone around me while weaving is a part of this Meaning Bag or basket : my Meaning Family my Meaning Elder of Ōtautahi weavers and our wider community of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa. I am grateful to everyone who has taught and inspired me. My journey of learning wouldn’t be possible without the support of my Meaning Teacher , my teachers, Paula Rigby, Nanny Morehu Flutey-Henare, Sue Tipene and Emma McLean.
Contact: gcoatsworth@yahoo.com
Essays
Explore in-depth writing about He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai: Weaving the Elements.
Whenu(a), Atua: Returning to Hine-te-iwaiwa through the maternal language of whatu
Dr Hinekura Smith (Te Rarawa, Nga Puhi)
1974 words
The language of weaving resonates deeply with the feminine and maternal body – as long as we use that language.
Ngaa ahuatanga marire mo te koiora - The Elementals essential for life
Ruth Port (Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri)
2950 words
A journey of re-connection and knowledge recovery as a group of weavers unravel long lost techniques used by Māori ancestral sail makers.
