Kohai Grace has created a kahu toroa (albatross cape) for Tākiri: An Unfurling, an exhibition responding to one of the most significant maritime events in Aotearoa's history.
In the group exhibition artists investigate aspects of navigation, migration, and voyaging, in loose relation to contact with the 1769 HMS Endeavour expedition. Artefacts from the museum’s collection are incorporated into the exhibition. Grace’s kahu toroa sits beside a model of a ship made of albatross breast-bone, thought to be associated with one of Ernest Shackletons’s expeditions, and an albatross egg collected in the early 20th century.
Grace (Ngāti Toa, Te Ati Awa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou) began weaving under Kataraina Hetet-Winiata at the Wellington Arts Centre in the 80s. She also trained under the esteemed Rangi Hetet and Erenora Puketapu-Hetet while completing a Bachelor of Design and Art at Te Wānanga o Raukawa. Kohai holds a Master’s in Māori Visual Arts from Massey University, has exhibited in New Zealand and overseas, and also teaches raranga (weaving) at Whitireia.
Tākiri: An Unfurling also features work by Reweti Arapere, Chris Charteris, Nikau Gabrielle Hindin, Jasmine Togo-Brisby, Rongomaiaia Te Whaiti, and the 7558 Collective.
Curated by Bridget Reweti and Linda Tyler, the exhibition is part of Tuia – Encounters 250 and is at the New Zealand Maritime Museum until June 2020.
First published Art Zone #81