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Merrilyn George

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Kia ora
New textile work
2017 work
Quilts-memorial
Quilts-Aotearoa
Quilts- Wairua
Quilts-Kaitaka
Quilts- Landscape
Ohakune History
Teaching
Resume
Contact me
2017 work
Post Covid
Isolation-Transformation
Isolation-Transformation
Isolation-Transformation

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Recognising that we

collect and keep remnants of our lives in a number of forms, I make an attempt to clear out after fifty years teaching. Some things go, others I cannot yet detach from. It is a work in progress.

This work embodies palimpsest and images, remains or remnants of the process of creativity.

Otamakotinga

Knowledge of land, language and identity are intrinsically connected and gives a sense of belonging. I appreciate the stories passed down in my area. Otamakotinga is the high point on this hill where a tupuna’s pito/umbilical cord was cut- a sacred place, a place to experience identity.

2017 Challenge Japan, France, New Zealand

Sites and Natural Wonders of the world

My inspiration was the Maori legend about Aoraki and his three brothers Rakiroa, Rakirua and Rarakiroa. During exploration of the Southern Ocean, a devastating storm damaged their waka. The brothers climbed onto the side of the capsized waka to escape drowning.

Everything turned to stone, the waka creating the South Island; the crew becoming the Southern Alps- Aoraki being the highest peak.

Aoraki, for Iwi, remains to be the link between the supernatural and natural world.

Land of colour

Land provides, and includes a diversity of dyes, from the paru/mud of Maori to plant material and minerals. Using these gives me a sense of identity, connections with generations past, and the present. Land is an essential part of Aotearoa identity, and with care, we have hope in the future.

Parapara 2

The Widening Gap

Installed size 1820mm X 290mm

Materials and techniques: Cotton, Silk, linen, paper, wool, synthetic threads; Fe(iron) rusting, printing, stamping, embellishment, piecing.

This work reflects and is inspired by the growing and widening gap between the’ haves’ and ‘have nots’ in our communities. The assumptions, the judgements, and comments printed on the panels have been recorded from real conversations.

It is much more acceptable to talk about dealing with the environmental challenges in our country than equity and the widening gap between rich and poor families.

The land remains

'As man disappears from sight, the land remains'

The juxtaposition of the two powers- the mana of the maunga/mountains and the electric charge supported by the pylons, the latter which could be viewed as disruption of an established order. Both cast shadows on the land. Many have made shadows on this land. What will remain?

The Land remains detail

Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitu te whenua

The gift Te Koha

The red door symbolises openings to take up gifts presented by opportunities.

The event that inspired this work was the invitation given me to record a people’s faith story for publication, the journey of learning and working together, and the return of the gift in a fitting manner.