To print designs for kākahu drawn from the beauty of the feathered korowai has been an idea rolling around in my head for a long time.  Attending the floor talks at the Whetu Sullivan-Katene exhibition, and seeing a few of my students wear beautiful heirloom korowai at graduation has spurred me into action.  

I do not intend to take away from the intensive work, dedication and love that goes into a traditionally woven korowai, they are such precious taonga.  

However, not everyone has access to these taonga, sometimes they are not practical for all occassions, and I believe Māori love to wear their identity especially when they have something to be proud of. 

This hand screenprinted korowai explores the idea of creating an individual hand made korowai from contemporary materials that references tradition and tells a story. 

I have just completed my Level 4 Ceritificate in Māori, and for one of our assessments we held a Pōwhiri for our whānau.  Our small class did mahi both out front and out back, and we seated a manuhiri of around 100 for the Hākari.   

After months of having screens prepared yet no time to print them, I had the best excuse to spend a weekend in the Print room - 32 table runners with a pattern derived from woven muka.