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Talented weaver Ann Uerata shares the traditional Maori art of weaving with flax in her practical and rewarding classes at the Corban Estate Arts Centre (CEAC).
CEAC are proud to have the skills of this passionate and experienced tutor who generously shares her knowledge and love of weaving with students.
Ann, who holds a Bachelor Degree in Maori Studies and a Diploma in Fine Arts (Weaving), has taught secondary school students computing, economics, and accounting for over 20 years. As far from the arts as these areas might seem, Ann found interest in weaving through the geometric and mathematical disciplines that weaving shares with these subjects: “The pattern for a kete must consist of even numbers”.
Ann describes teaching weaving as a communal exercise: a sharing of knowledge as well as a sharing of learning her skills. Ann believes she has also learnt a lot while running her weaving classes. “Weaving brings you into contact with a circle of people. It is social and something you can share with other people and other groups.”
Ann, who prefers to weave ‘fine’ rather than ‘wide’, is known for her beautiful ‘muka’ creations. ‘Muka’, which is the white inner fibre of the flax plant, requires a more lengthy and methodical preparation than straight flax, but produces a stunningly fine product. Muka is traditionally used in the production of Maori cloaks. Ann is currently weaving a cloak for her daughter’s graduation, and will use fine ‘muka’ to complete this extensive project.
As a tutor Ann recommends the relaxation and sense of achievement that comes from weaving and welcomes students to her class to participate in the social, sharing environment and opportunity to create a functional item from flax.
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