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The Reclaimed Kete Series - By Donna Campbell

25 November - 16 December 2006

Recent works by Donna Campbell (Ngapuhi, Ngati Ruanui)

Detail of installation by Donna Campbell

A kete, even when empty contains a whakapapa or historic korero, in the construction and symbology of pattern.
Donna Campbell, 2006

For many years my work has revolved sculpturally around the body, perhaps stemming from initial lessons around how to weave kete. It has been a natural progression to use kete-weaving techniques to interpret the body, with the body symbolising a container, in as much as the kete is a functional container.
Through raranga I have been empowered to reconnect with my whakapapa and have been guided in my pursuit of my Maoritanga. By the very nature of the processes of raranga I have been taught patience, tolerance and resolve. I have gained a sense of myself as a Maori wahine in an intimate relationship with the whenua that manifests itself in the creation of these artworks.

Donna Campbell

About the artist
Donna Campbell is currently doing research and Lecturing at the School of Maori and Pacific Development at the University of Waikato. She is currently participating in a group exhibition at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom entitled Pasifika Styles 2006, Maori and Pacific Art and Culture in the 21st Century at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Glossary of terms
Kete – basket or container woven from harakeke (flax)
Korero - speak to or to speak
Raranga – to weave, weaving
Whakapapa – genealogy/ family lineage
Wahine – woman
Whenua – the land

Artist Bio

2005 Completed Master of Fine Arts, Whitecliffe College of Art and Design, Auckland
1999 Post Graduate Diploma of Fine Arts. Elam School of Fine Art, Auckland.
Graduate of Waiariki Polytechnic 1991 with a Diploma of Craft Design Maori. Recent works explore the post-modern concept of deconstruction. These works are made using reclaimed kete to create body forms. The issues surrounding these works are reclamation of culture, and the body as land.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS:

2005- The Eternal Thread, Te Aho Mutunga Kore.
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco
U.S.A
Cult Couture 2005
Telstra Clear Pacific Event Centre,
Manukau, Auckland
2004- Kauwae
Tairawhiti Museum, Gisborne.
2004- Te Aho Mutunga Kore – The Eternal Thread
Pataka Museum, Wellington
2004- Awakening 'Conversations with our ancestors'
An exhibition of Maori and Koori women.
Te Tuhi Gallery, Auckland
2003- 'Rotorua wearable art awards'.
Recipient: Highly Commended.
2002- Westfield Style Pasifika
Recipient: Highly Commended. Traditionally Inspired Section
'Pa Harakeke' Waikato Museum, Hamilton
Commission work for Cambridge & Oxford Museums, Britain
2000-'Hine e Hine', Rotorua Art & History Museum, Rotorua
'Kauwae" Gisborne Museum and Arts Centre, Gisborne
'Fringe Festival Art in Windows', Dunedin
1999-'He Whare Tangata' SOLO SHOW, Te Taumata Gallery, Auckland
'Bodytalk' Uxbridge Gallery, Auckland
'Ngati Whiriki' George Fraser Gallery, Auckland
'Nga Korero Aoteatea' Dowse Museum, Porirua
1998-'Contemporary Maori Art' Aotea Centre, Auckland
'Opotiki Fibre & Fleece Fashion Show' Recipient: Maori Design Award
'Real Art Union Show' Dowse Museum, Porirua
1997-'Te Hahatanga o Pipiri' Bell Gully, Auckland.
'Smokefree Fashion Show' Finalist, Wellington.
1996-'Mentors Series' Bathhouse Museum, Rotorua.
'Maori Art Show' New Dehli, India.
1995-'Flax as Art' SOLO SHOW, Te Taumata Gallery, Auckland.