Christina Wirihana
Christina Hurihia Wirihana (b 1949) is a New Zealand weaver from Te Arawa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Rangiunora, Ngāti Raukawa, Tainui iwi.[1] She attributes Dame Rangimarie Hetet, Diggeress Te Kanawa and Emily Schuster as major influences but states her mother, Matekino Lawless as being her most significant teacher.[2] Wirihana is currently a senior lecturer at Toihoukura, a Māori visual arts school within the Eastern Institute of Technology.[3]
Her weaving is often an exploration of natural materials and processes. "In my weaving I am continually inspired by the surrounds of my maunga (mountain) Matawhaura, moana tapu Rotoiti (Lake Rotoiti), my marae Taurua and especially my whanau (family)."[4]
Recognition
Wirihana is the Chairperson of Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa (National Collective of Māori Weavers in New Zealand). In 2014 this collective of weavers exhibited 49 tukutuku panels in Kāhui Raranga: The Art of Tukutuku at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. These panels are to be installed early 2015 at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York.[5]
Wirihana has received numerous funding from Creative New Zealand to develop new work and travel overseas for residencies, the most recent being a 2014 artist residency in Hawaii.[6] In 2003 Wirihana received Te Tohu Toi Kē from Te Waka Toi Creative New Zealand for making a positive development within Māori arts.[7] Wirihana is a lifelong member of the Māori Women’s Welfare League.[3]
Exhibitions
Wirihana has exhibited, attended symposia and residencies both nationally and internationally including:
- 2014 Māori Art Market Wellington[8]
- 2009 Plastic Māori The Dowse Art Museum[9]
- 2006 Artist Residency Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington[10]
- 1998 Kanak Cultural Centre, Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre Nouméa[11]
- 1992 Seven Māori Weavers Christchurch[1]
- 1991 Ngā Kaupapa Here Aho Te Taumata, Auckland[1]
- 1991 Te Moemoea nō Iotefa Sarjent Gallery, Whanagnui[1]
- 1990 Ngā wahine Toa Rotoruatamati[1]
- 1990 Kohia Ko Taikaka Anake National Art Gallery Wellington[12]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Tamati-Quennell, Megan (1993). Pū Manawa; A celebration of Whatu, Raranga and Tāniko. Wellington: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. ISBN 0-909010-00-5.
- ↑ Schamroth, Helen (1998). 100 New Zealand Craft Artist. Auckland: Random House. ISBN 1869620305.
- 1 2 "Staff". EIT. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Christina Wirihana". Toi Māori. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Kāhui Raranga". Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Who got funded?". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Te Waka Toi Awards". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Artists". Toi Māori Art Market. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Plastic Māori: A Tradition of Innovation". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Call for Māori artists to go to Washington". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ "Carving bound for Kanak Cultural Centre". Creative New Zealand. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ↑ Kohia Ko Taikaka Anake. Te Papa Tongarewa. 1991. ISBN 0-909010-01-3.