Rotorua: Country’s top Weavers Exhibit

Toi Māori Media Release

Wednesday 23 December 2009

For Immediate Release

Country’s top Weavers Exhibit alongside International Guests at IWI Symposium in Rotorua.

100 weavers and fibre artist will gather January 7-13 in Rotorua at the Te Wananga O Aotearoa Taiwere campus for an international symposium. The focus of this symposium is the retention of cultural knowledge and the use of educational tools and processes for conserving natural weaving resources for future generations.

Events include fibre arts Wearable Extravaganza which will be on show 9 January 2010 from 7.30pm. A fibre arts exhibition will also be on show at the Rotorua Arts Venue for the duration of the symposium and will be open to the public from 9 January 2010.

The delegates will explore techniques and concepts of weaving through forum presentations, exhibition, practical workshops as well as excursions to iconic landscapes that contribute to narratives in the fibre arts and viewing archival film footage.

Speakers include:
Miyoko Kawahito, Japan – Indigo dyeing and the fibre arts.
Audrey Armstrong, Alaska – Fish skin sculpting and traditional regalia.
Tina Kuckkahn, USA - Establishing relationships and the retention of cultural knowledge.
Mata Smith, Niue - Sustainability and resources.
Christina Wirihana, Rotorua – Deputy Chairperson, Contributing to the Retention of Cultural knowledge .
Edna Pahewa, Rotorua Chairperson-History of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa.
Donna Campbell, Hamilton – Contemporary issues and wearable art .

Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa – Toi Māori Aotearoa, is a collective of the country’s top Weavers and Fibre Artists who have precision skills in the art and are dedicated to sustaining the artform and its traditional materials.

Te Roopu will be displaying their works at the Rotorua Arts Village 1240 Hinemaru St, Rotorua from Friday 9 January 2009 until Wednesday 13 January 2009.

ENDS

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