WAKA OF DREAMS: PUNANGA POHEWA
Lissy + Rudi Robinson-Cole
Crochet extraordinaires Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole are among THE most exciting contemporary visual artists in Aotearoa right now with their ngā toi celebrating cultural heritage through captivating storytelling and artistic innovation. We are immensely proud to commission their new large-scale project, Waka of Dreams.
Created in collaboration with friend and multi-disciplinary artist Hollie Tawhiao (Ngāti Tiipa), the special commission work Waka Of Dreams | Punanga Pohewa: The Dream Sanctuary will be unveiled at the Refinery ArtSpace, inviting us all onto a journey of exploring whakapapa and dreams, weaving cultural narratives that resonate with universal truths.
Most known for their vibrant, crochet-based artworks and installations that merge traditional Māori toi (art) with contemporary expressions, Lissy (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi (Ngaruahine, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pāoa, Waikato ki Ta) Robinson-Cole continue to captivate audiences, and have gained international attention with their largest work to date, Wharenui Harikoa.
The Waka of Dreams will be accompanied by an exhibition of Lissy and Rudi’s beautiful crochet and light-based sculptures, taking over the gallery space with a vibrant fusion of Māori art and contemporary craft.
This exhibition not only highlights individual craftsmanship but also celebrates the power of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of indigenous art forms, and we are absolutely thrilled to present Lissy and Rudi’s work in Te Waipounamou (South Island) for the first time.
Image: Hōhua Kurene
Lissy Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu)
Lissy’s Story: A Tapestry of Art and Resilience
Born into a world where creativity flowed as freely as the waters of the moana. I was destined to embrace the arts. Raised in a large, creative and vibrant whānau where I am the pōtiki/youngest of eight wāhine.
My father Colin Cole, a renowned NZ couturier and my mother Mairehau Tui Cole, a high intellectual, my life has been to navigate these two extremes and forge my own path. Crochet found me at a time when I was exploring and experimenting, trying to find my way.
Crochet became my visual language, a way to honour my Tūpuna’s memory, and a medium to express my deepest emotions. After a fulfilling journey in communications and fashion, including my ‘I Love Lissy Collection’, I discovered my true calling in crochet.
Rudi Robinson-Cole (Ngaruahine, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pāoa, Waikato ki Ta)
Rudi’s Path: From Forests to Yarn
I hail from the forestry town of Kaingaroa. Born with a chainsaw in hand, my early years were spent in the embrace of nature and the creative sanctuary of my backyard shed. My transition from the forests to the art of crochet has been a journey of discovery and learning. Meeting Lissy was the turning point where I swapped my chainsaw for a crochet hook, combining my love for making with the intricate art of crochet.
Hollie Tawhiao (Ngāti Tiipa)
Hollie is a Ngaati Tipa and a Kirikiriroa based multidisciplinary artist, writer, and toi advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) from Elam, Post Graduate Diploma (Dist) in Museum Studies from Massey University and has recently completed a Masters in Contemporary Art with Wintec. Hollie’s research looks at the development of toi from the perspective of cumulative cultural evolution and the reality that our current practices as they stand are the foundation of future movements that could influence artistic and sociological cultural shifts. She was one of several collaborators for Wharenui Harikoa, lending her carving expertise to the Tuupuanuku and Waitii pou.
Supported by:
REFINERY ARTSPACE
24 Oct – 23 Nov
Thurs 24 Oct | 5-8pm
Fri 25 Oct, Tues 29 Oct – Fri 1 Nov | 10am – 5pm
Sat 26, Sun 27, Mon 28 Oct + Sat 2, Sun 3 Nov | 10am – 4pm
From Mon 4 Nov: Mon – Fri 10am – 5pm, Sat 10am – 2pm
FREE
All Ages
