Alexis Neal (Ngāti Awa, Te Ātiawa), 'Kākahu kōkōwai', 2024, deep red ochre printed, finely woven cloak, 3 panel pātikitiki raranga, 3 fringes, Hahnemühle 300 gsm paper, wooden cloak pin, braided grey wax thread whiri. Courtesy of the artist
Photo Credit
The title of this exhibition implies a sense of impermanence, a temporary occupation as well as a sense of care, to have and to hold is to cherish, to protect. As a master printmaker and self-taught weaver, Alexis Neal (Ngāti Awa, Te Ātiawa) is drawn to artefacts and the narratives they hold. Her artistic practice brings these artefacts into the light, inviting them to collaborate and inspire, to offer a voice to be woven into a contemporary context of knowledge. Neal’s practice brings life to taonga tuku iho (treasure handed down) reminding us that these taonga are vessels, holding history, holding space.
The title of this exhibition implies a sense of impermanence, a temporary occupation as well as a sense of care, to have and to hold is to cherish, to protect. As a master printmaker and self-taught weaver, Alexis Neal (Ngāti Awa, Te Ātiawa) is drawn to artefacts and the narratives they hold. Her artistic practice brings these artefacts into the light, inviting them to collaborate and inspire, to offer a voice to be woven into a contemporary context of knowledge. Neal’s practice brings life to taonga tuku iho (treasure handed down) reminding us that these taonga are vessels, holding history, holding space.
