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Here is my Te Raa inspired kete, called Taratara and cringles, created for Wawata exhibtion at Village Arts, Kohukohu.
The triangle design at the top is an unusual closure for a kete as it would be considered not strong enough to attach handles to take any kind of weight for something of this size. These triangles can be seen on the finished (top) edge of Te Raa (taratara - meaning spiky or pointed). The muka (flax fibre) attachments on each point are a version of the cringles (a sailing term, a ring of rope for another rope to pass through) seen on the side of the sail. As I have incorporated these designs into a kete I wanted to make it 'functional' so have used some simple cordage as handles. There would have been many metres of cordage used as ropes and attachments on a waka, this cord is made by twisting two strands together made up of many lengths of muka.
The triangle design at the top is an unusual closure for a kete as it would be considered not strong enough to attach handles to take any kind of weight for something of this size. These triangles can be seen on the finished (top) edge of Te Raa (taratara - meaning spiky or pointed). The muka (flax fibre) attachments on each point are a version of the cringles (a sailing term, a ring of rope for another rope to pass through) seen on the side of the sail. As I have incorporated these designs into a kete I wanted to make it 'functional' so have used some simple cordage as handles. There would have been many metres of cordage used as ropes and attachments on a waka, this cord is made by twisting two strands together made up of many lengths of muka.
All Flax
Phew 20m of 3-4mm muka cord finished, this time rolled on a purpose made board instead of my leg (shown to me years ago by Gerry at Kawhia - thank you!) it got easier once I learnt the board foibles, but it is difficult to keep the cord even width. This technique saved my shoulder and leg getting sore.... can I now do 120m??? It took 70 taeore rau and 8hrs.
All Flax
Here are some of my new one off pieces that you can find at the Whangarei Heads Art Trail, Taurikura Hall starting tomorrow at 10am.
The hall looks awesome, it has been great fun to set up with friends and fellow artists Katherine Batchelor, Trish Clarke and Wendy Bown. Tomorrow we look forward to being treated at Arana's pop up cafe. See you there!!!
The hall looks awesome, it has been great fun to set up with friends and fellow artists Katherine Batchelor, Trish Clarke and Wendy Bown. Tomorrow we look forward to being treated at Arana's pop up cafe. See you there!!!
All Flax by Wendy Naepflin
Whangarei, New Zealand
Traditional flax weaving | Contemporary flax weaving | Multimedia | Ceramics | Collaborations
Kete | Kahu | Pikau | Potae | Wahakura | Hinaki
Decorations | Wall hangings | Mini kete | Mini kahu | Clutches | Necklaces | Woven jewellery