Textile and Fibre Artist
 |
“As a child it was a way of life to be surrounded by lovely women making Tivaevae and weaving items to support their family and the community.”
Mary Ama was born in the Cook Islands, from Vaka Takitumu on Rarotonga, an island among the fifteen islands of the Cook Island group. She comes from a family who are extremely proactive in many art forms. Preserving and sharing their knowledge on the arts has always been part of her family philosophy. As a Cook Islander living in Aotearoa for the past forty years, Mary Ama wishes to continue her family's vision in sharing the richness and diversity of pacific cultures from other pacific nations.
In particular Mary's passion is in the art of tivaevae –traditional Cook Island quilt making - 'The Ultimate Gift'.
Mary Ama is the Pacific Island Arts Advocate for the Waitakere City Council and has been instrumental in bringing together a group of local women (mamas) to rekindle their weaving traditions and skills, and has established the Waitakere Pacifica Living Arts Festival which has now been recognised as a city wide event. (2005 will be the 10th anniversary of this festival), and the ‘Pacifica Experience’ programme based at Corban Estate Arts Centre, an education programme for young generations to capture the essence and diversity of pacific cultures. |