Nau mai haere mai. Evelyn White is of Ngāti Whatua/Ngāpuhi descent, a long time Avondale local and grassroots weaver with a passion for native fibres and plants. “My style of mahi toi is in traditional fundamentals with contemporary views.” Evelyn regularly holds workshops and hui at ALL GOODS, sharing her skills and hosting other artists who work in harakeke toi.
Over the years, Evelyn has hosted workshops for all ages and experiences from beginner to intermediate.
Evelyn brings her own flavour to these workshops and has a gift for creating an inclusive and safe space for people to learn and share stories.
WHAKAARO RARANGA
Mahi toi is the artistic expressions of creativity.
Tatai korero is the philosophical foundations and Karakia is the spirtual essence.
These are the fundamental principles by which we are governed.
Aho the strands that represent whakapapa, raranga to install enlightenment and interweaving of all creation that is only a touch of the philosophy of weaving.
Whare Wānanga, Whare Huna Huna.
Mahi toi is ideographic, calligraphic and hieroglyphic.
the markings indicate diacritical stress, in other words our raranga carvings and kowhaiwhai are a symbolic language.
Add to that our tikanga, kawa and kaupapa and you are there.
Māori law, Māori philosophy equals raranga.
kōrero by Caroline Harrison
