Artists use textiles, wood, bowls, dolls to mark Matariki

Quilts, bowls and dolls will help celebrate Matariki and mark the reopening of Corbans Estate Art Centre in Waitakere.

Corbans curator and exhibitions manager, Corra-Allan Wickliffe says the new exhibition will celebrate the historical connections and relationships between people and their culture.

Ms Wickliffe said the exhibition is about exploring ideas about Matariki and will involve work from three artists; Margaret Chapman, Vicki Bradley and Phil Weight.

Mediums of textile and wood created from sourced, gifted, accumulated, repurposed and recycled materials are the focus.

Despite the lockdown and Level 2 guidelines Corbans wanted to support the artists and put up the exhibition whether it was in person or online.

“The work itself takes time to reflect upon our relationship with Papatuanuku, towards the earth so the artists have used plant dyed resources, recycled and repurposed materials.

“They are really thinking about the processes used to make the work and looking at how Matariki is about looking at the past and moving forward to the future” she said.

During Level 2 they are following government guidelines with a maximum of 10 people in the exhibition at a time and no sitting areas or food available.

This Matariki exhibition will open on Friday May 29 and will be open in person and online through to July.