Ally Evelyn Ataria
Te Uīra Alice Hineaupounamu
Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Muaupoko
Knowing that I made this in honour of my two nannies makes me feel more connected to them both. I can feel their presence when wearing my Korowai. I know they're both looking down on me, feeling proud of the kaupapa.
Bachelor of Design
Textile Design
Te Ūira Alice Heniaupounamu is the name of my Korowai and her kaupapa combines traditional Māori concepts executed with Western techniques and materials, reflecting my Māori identity and cultural heritage. Inspired by my two late grandmothers who were excellent kakahu weavers themselves and spoke about evolution for weaving, I used a digital jacquard loom to weave both the body and tāniko band. This approach honours my Korowai’s cultural significance while embracing modern methods, blending ancestral traditions with contemporary Māori textile art innovations.
