16. Kete of Cultures

Christina is a master weaver and has been weaving for more than forty years. She attributes her knowledge to many people, especially her mother, Matekino Lawless, who is also a weaver and has been her strongest support and mentor. Christina is grounded in the traditional weaving techniques but has moved towards more contemporary forms. She continues to push the traditional boundaries of weaving, using materials such as glass, copper, stainless steel, wood and Perspex. Christina lectured at the Waiariki Institute of Technology, Rotorua, for seventeen years and was responsible for the design, quality control and installation of all the fibre components for the great meeting house Ihenga. She currently lectures at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, Whakatane, where she manages the weaving department. In 2003, she was awarded the Te Waka Toi Award for New Work, in recognition of leadership and outstanding contribution to the development of new directions in Māori art. She has lectured, been an artist in residence, tutored and participated in many exhibitions throughout New Zealand, the South Pacific, Australia and the United States. Christina's work is also in museums, galleries and private collections around the world.

—excerpt from Manawa—Pacific Heartbeat

©2005 Spirit Wrestler Gallery