New Zealand Harakeke Flax and Contemporary Textile Arts Applications at Whitireia NZ

摘要

Before the arrival of European explorers in the early1770s,and later settlers,the potential of harakeke flax (phormium tenax) meaning 'strong basket' as a major plant resource was fully utilized by the Maori tribes of Aotearoa New Zealand to create objects and fine treasures (taonga).Traditional conservation skills and craft knowledge were also used to make evenyday articles,this made flax a significant material for all practical uses and a valuable trade commodity with settlers.Today natural dyeing,hand weaving and more recently papermaking skills with flax have continued to develop as contemporary textile arts and cultural applications.Since 1987 these skills have been passed to Whitireia NZ students and community members training as New Zealand artists.Traditional models remain an inspiration to link practitioners and the holistic conservationist practices of pa harakeke by Maori tribes (iwi) such as Ngati Toa in Porirua are recognized and acknowledged in studies of the bio diversity of New Zealand's wetlands,birdlife,flora and fauna.The re-emergence of annual Maori cultural celebrations and exhibitions such as Matariki in June,observes and retains these inter-connected values; a time of remembrance,harvest,ritual and planning of resources helps maintain sustainable design processes as we focus on the future of flax applications.