the kete nui o papatuanuku is now finished – it can be seen in different
locations around Russell.
Working together brought its own feeling of energy – from preparing the
flax,weaving the strips, plaiting handles, joining the waiata, each one
of us weaving their own stories into the kete. Material and designs are
traditional, showing different weaving styles and flax colours.
Finally the kete nui is finished. It will now be displayed for a month
at Haratu in Russell.
The mounting was a bit of a challenge as the whole work is still a bit
stretching and bulging
until it will completely dry out and become rigid.
We decided to hang the Kete from the beams by its handles, which are
also part of the
reinforcement around the edges and are ending in loose ropes overhanging
the sides as if on a boat.
The whole concept is carried out by using exclusively Harakeke / NZ Flax.
This project is a good example of how much can be achieved by working as
a group.
