Whatu Manawa:
Celebrating the Weaving of Matekino Lawless

15 December 2018 – 10 March 2019

Matekino Lawless. Photo: Anne Shirley
This exhibition showcases the work of renowned weaver and one of our living treasures Matekino Lawless QSM (Tainui), who celebrated her 90th birthday in February 2018. The Rotoiti based weaver has spent much of her career assisting with the retention and continuation of raranga traditions.
 
Whatu Manawa features a combination of Matekino’s signature works, chosen from a comprehensive collection of kākahu, whāriki and kete created between the 1980’s and today. Exploring a range of raranga and raranga whatu, the exhibition illustrates Matekino’s dedication to her craft with specific forms such as tarapouahi, pūrea (kākahu), kete whakairo, kete tauira and kete pīngao and materials such as harakeke, pīngao, kiekie and natural dyes such as paru.
 

Matekino Lawless, Pūrea (detail). Photo: Anne Shirley.

“I attribute my knowledge of weaving to my kuia who nurtured me during my childhood. They were a major contributing factor to the skills I have acquired, and I owe my approach to the art of weaving to their teachings.”

Matekino Lawless, Kete whakairo (detail). Photo: Anne Shirley

Matekino has been weaving for over seventy years and continues to weave daily. She is a significant advocate for the legacy of raranga (weaving) traditions and has gained international acknowledgement and national recognition through being awarded the Queens Service Medal (QSM) and Creative NZ: Te Waka Toi’s Kingi Ihaka Art Award and Te Waka Toi Supreme Award, Te Tohu Aroha mo Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. She was a founding member of Te Kāhui Whiritoi, established in 2006 to recognise individuals who have contributed at a national level to the retention and promotion of the Māori weaving arts.

PRINICPAL EXHIBITION PARTNER: