Cook Island Visitors Cut A Dash At Wgtn East Girls

Media Release

10 February 2004

Cook Island visitors cut a dash at Wellington East Girls' College

Cook Island experts in the traditional art of Tivaevae are brightening up the Art Department at Wellington East Girls' College this week.

A group of 10 women are visiting the College to demonstrate the skill to Year 9 students, who are then creating their own colourful Tivaevae designs.

Tivaevae is a textile art form based on the appliqué of patterns on to large pieces of cloth and is often used to create bedspreads. Many of the vibrant designs are handed down through the generations.

"This is a great opportunity for our students to watch this traditional art form at work. Seeing the women drawing and cutting out the designs and hand sewing them on to cloth helps them understand the work involved," said Jean Loomis, head of the Art Department at Wellington East Girls' College.

"The students are then creating their own Tivaevae designs based on New Zealand flora."

The Cook Island visitors are holding their workshops in the College's Art Department each morning this week.

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