My artist statement

Harakeke (flax) and other natural New Zealand fibres are my main inspiration.

I have a traditional slant to my weaving, studying Maori art and design (in 2016 & 2026) though this has greatly influenced my work, I do find it exciting to create in a contemporary style. My main inspiration is the innate natural properties of harakeke, using different processes to prouduce varying result and particularly working with the muka (fibre) it contains.

When you get lost in the act of creation you’re convinced it's the best thing - designing in my head often keeps me awake at night! The next day the same idea might still be incredible, or it might just fade away, but I really enjoy and thrive on my creative process.

Since 2017 every 2 years I have had the opportunity to collaborate with 70+ national and international artists at CollaboratioNZ, all working with different materials (wood, metal, fibre, paint, glass, print, drawing…), on crazy projects over one week, it really pushed me out of my comfort zone. They were truly amazing experiences, both for my own art practice but also to open my eyes to other people’s processes and materials. since 2022 I have attended EMMA Collaboration in Canada to ensure I have some real play time.

I focus on myself as an artist and my artistic process, it has been difficult to think of myself as an artist not coming from an art background. I always felt that people had expectations about what that meant and I was always dissatisfied and critical with my output. The key I have found is to be happy with what you do, enjoy the process and you can create amazing things. I’d like to be judged for my creative soul, not just as a producer.

Am I the best weaver? Absolutely not. Will I ever be a master weaver? Probably not. I’m just trying to find and enjoy my creativity. For me it is about finding my own happiness with what I have, and to stop comparing myself with others. It’s about sharing art, having fun, trying to take those little things that life offers and find the joy in them. Flax weaving is so satisfying on so many levels, it keeps me physically fit and it’s a continuous path of l learning about Te Ao Maori (Maori world view), spirituality and self. When I didn’t create I didn’t know that deep feeling of satisfaction, it’s only now that I feel at peace with my ‘inner self’.

I decided to put a name on my creations and products and introduced AllFlax, 100% made in New Zealand, 100% sustainable and 100% handmade.

What the future may bring

• One day I would like to take AllFlax to Europe, not only to sell products, but to transmit the essence and spirit of what it means to be connected to a natural resource and culture.
• I have started my foray into being an installation artist, exhibiting Whiri o te Hononga, 5 x 5m elemental whiri (plaits) - as part of Woven treasures from He Aa I Uta, He Aa I Tai: Weaving the Elements at tewharetaonga.nz.  I hope to continue to create larger artworks