Artist’s statement
Margaret Rose Ngawaka
Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu
Meaning Sky father, primordial parent his cloak covered in Meaning The stars in plaiting Meaning Weaving .
This Meaning Mat represents the night sky and Meaning Star cluster Pleiades who heralds in the new year for Māori. This is a time of remembrance, gratitude, and new beginnings. A time to acknowledge our deceased loved ones and release their spirits to becomes stars.
These are indeed difficult times, Meaning Star cluster Pleiades rises and yet the sky stays the same. Titiro ake ki ngā whetū – Look up to the stars.
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.
