Kiwis for the Treaty are hosting this special event in collaboration with gallerist Tim Melville and artists Lissy Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Makirangi, Ngāti Tu, Te Arawa).
Lissy & Rudi’s crocheted sculptures explore mātauranga Māori, whakapapa and our shared humanity. Their work is accessible to anyone, whatever their whakapapa.
“Often non-Māori wonder how to access Māori art”, says Rudi. “They may feel intimidated or cautious about over-stepping boundaries. But our soft woollen medium helps them to relate more easily and it opens up some of those conversations. Through crochet we have come to understand the symbolism of connecting ‘loops’ and how the loops reflect the complex relationships we have with ourselves and others, and to the past, present and future.”
For Lissy, “crochet is a portal of joy.” And joy is exactly what we need more of as we face challenging political changes — including the Regulatory Standards Bill.
At SBN, we oppose the Bill. The Bill seeks to improve our democracy without referring to the document on which that democracy is based. It deliberately fails to refer to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It will weaken protections for the environment and the rights of communities across Aotearoa.
Submissions are now open and close on Monday 23 June. So come get clued up, feel inspired and learn how your voice can make a difference.
Want to find out more about Kiwis for the Treaty? Find everything you need here.
For more information about the artists and Tim Melville Gallery click here.
Expect kōrero, community and kai. Together, we can crochet a future that honours Te Tiriti and connects all of us.