2 Master Weavers to Evergreen State College in Washington State USA; then Pacific Arts Association Conference in
Vancouver, Canada
Christina Wirihana will travel to Washington State, USA in July to take part in a residency at Evergreen State College
in Olympia. She will then travel to Vancouver, Canada to speak at the Pacific Arts Association Conference which is to be
held from the 6-9th of August at the Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia. Christina will also be
joined by her mother and master weaver, Matekino Lawless.
Tina’s main aim while in Evergreen will be to collaborate with the NW Coast weavers. This will be through researching
historic woven mats and basketry with the purpose of combining Māori and NW Coast techniques, pattern and weaving
materials. She will be taking prepared harakeke for this purpose.
What will be significant about this residency will be the traveling and collaborating of the mother and daughter team.
While they collaborate every day; having the opportunity to share this with NW Coast weavers will be more exciting for
the pair.
This will not be the first time Christina has gone to Evergreen; she has a personal relationship with the people of
Evergreen State College through the Director of the Longhouse, Tina Kuckkahn and completed a residency there in 2006.
At the PAA conference in Vancouver, she will be presenting two research papers. One will be on behalf of Toi Māori
Aotearoa and the other for Toihoukura of EIT Tairawhiti.
We look forward to hearing about Christina’s experiences when she returns in early August.
About Toi Māori Aotearoa
Toi Māori Aotearoa, Charitable Trust is the national organisation for Māori art and artists. It receives major funding
from Te Waka Toi, the Māori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand.
ENDS