Category: Textiles
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African print in the collection
This week African print fabrics have been the topic du jour in the studio. Mary, our curator and conservator, has been hard at work cataloguing and sorting out the fabrics, many of which have been bought in London or South Africa. It can get quite complicated because where do wax prints end and printed textiles…
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Grilled cheese art
Who doesn’t like grilled cheese?! Thanks to a reader of the blog even those who are lactose-intolerant can partake!
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The art and craft of Bornean ikat
Yesterday a friend shared an amazing experience: a visit to Sarawak to experience the creation of ikat. Ikat is a patterning technique that begins with threads in a warp, or weft, or both, are tied in patterns before dyeing. The tied areas resist dye and so a pattern emerges as these threads are then woven…
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The Dowse Art Gallery
The Dowse is in Lower Hutt outside Pōneke Wellington and it is always worth a visit. At present the exhibitions are Softy: Textiles from the Dowse Collection, Wing and a Prayer, Uana/ Carried By The Waves by Claudia Jowitt, and Whakahokihoki: Jewellery from the Dowse Collection. There is also an interactive installation, Wheel of Avalon,…
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New books in the library
Some new books have been added to the library. Stitches in Time by Sue Bradley. Aussie Fair by Liz Gemmell The Gentleman’s Wardrobe by Vanessa Mooncie This British book was republished in 2020 and includes simple instructions and patterns for making old-style wallets, jackets, dressing gowns and the like, for discerning men who enjoy dressing-up…
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Patterns in the collection
This week the collection of sewing and knitting patterns grew with the addition of a couple of generous gifts.
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New opening hours
The studio is now open for the summer. Opening hours for the studio are 11am to 3pm on weekdays, and by appointment. Call +64 (0)224 058 526 or send an email to make a date to come in. Something from the studio collection is on display in the window, and there is art to look…
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The politics of dress
Dress is often used to convey messages. In 1973 a black gown made of wool became a star when it was in the Cameo New Zealand Fashion Showcase. The gown, named Tania, featured Māori motifs and was worn to signal support for Māori causes as well as for the wool industry, particularly in 1974 in…
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Mana
During the activism years of the 1970s Pacific and Māori voices were given a platform through print. Mana was a publication that highlighted societal issues while, at the same time, promoted identity and cultural values. During its short run – July 1977 to May 1978 – the paper relied on voluntary support and an editorial…
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Āhuataka
An intriguing exhibition at the Centre of Contemporary Art in Christchurch Ōtautahi is just about to end its run. Āhuataka is an exploration of Māori woven adornment. The small exhibition space in CoCA has on display artefacts from the Canterbury Museum; taonga tupuna (ancestral treasures). These are grouped together with contemporary art from practitioners who…