Ngati Kahungunu
Nigel believes that “the fibre arts are an integral part of my everyday life. I was once told that Te Whare Pora is like being Maori – it is a lifestyle, not a hobby. I agree”.
He was born in 1977 in his ancestral home of Wairoa where he now lives. Over the past few years he has worked on contract at the Wairoa Museum doing specific projects relating to taonga in their collection, involving cataloguing, tracing provenance and upgrading storage.
His own artistic work centres on raranga, whatu – including taaniko – and whiri. He is widely known for his finely-woven kete which are prized by their owners. He says “since my college years I have acquired skills from a number of expert people on an informal basis – I have never had any ‘formal’ training. Study of Te Whare Pora through old images, old objects, writings and stories is an integral part of this journey”.
People who have been significant in Nigel’s development include Honor Goldsmith (taaniko), Moe-Hiwi Cooper (taaniko), Kui Karauria (taaniko), Lovely Hodgkinson (raranga, whatu and whiri), Bailee Lambert (raranga, whatu and whiri), Gaye Hawkins (raranga), Pita Walker-Robinson (piupiu, taaniko and whatu) and Parekura Robinson (raranga). Other mentors and avid supporters of his journey include Messa King, Kate Haggerty, Miriama Lambert, Madge Hema, Waana Davis, Mick Pendergrast and Patricia Wallace.
Since 2001 Nigel has exhibited in group shows as Auckland’s Objectspace, Hawkes Bay Museum, Wairoa Museum, Mahia’s Gifted Sands, Whakatane Museum and Wellington’s Iwi Art Gallery. In 2010 Te Papa Tongarewa purchased Nigel’s kahu-kuri Te Hemoata which was included in their 2012 major exhibition Kahu Ora / Living Cloaks. His kete are in the collection of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for display in New Zealand’s high commissions and embassies abroad.
As an Honorary Member of the Poutaka Branch of the Maori Women’s Welfare League Nigel has entered their national competitions since 2005. Over seven years he has been awarded 16 first-places in two kete categories and traditional tukutuku. “Our Branch has many artistic members and we are all very competitive. We thrive on competition, improving our skills through constructive criticism and sharing those skills when the opportunities arise.”
Loading... Please wait...
