WAKA OF DREAMS: PUNANGA POHEWA

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’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 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.