Lafaiki Twiss won the the Wanaka Arts residency this year and spent two weeks in the community, teaching her grandmother’s traditional practice of making paper from bark and inks from natural sources.
She also took boat trips on Lake Wanaka to observe the land from the water, sketch and paint.
"I never see anything as a mistake but instead part of the making," she said, in response to questions from her presentation at Wanaka’s Labour Weekend Art Exhibition at the Lake Wanaka Centre yesterday.
Lafaiki Twiss explained that many of her materials were obtained through barter and she was constantly exploring the concept of koha (gift giving) from a cultural perspective.
"You exchange what you can ... Koha for people is really hard, because you have to decide your gift, how much you respect that person and how [much] you value their work."
She had traded materials for loaves of bread, packets of cigarettes, embroidered pillow cases and chop suey.
Lafaiki Twiss turned down a chance to be at Te Papa Museum in Wellington last week — it was Niuean Language Week and she had been invited to present there.
"Coming to Wanaka seemed the right thing to do ... It is interesting for my learning, creates an extension of conversations that I don’t see coming," she said.
Wanaka Arts president Vicky Fulton said the exhibition had been a "boomer", as works from more than 130 artists were on display, alongside working demonstrations by six Wanaka artists.
"We’ve got more artists this year and a lot more artists from further afield, and we’ve had more people through the door.
"Word around town is it is a must see, and comments from people are that the level of art, the quality of the art, is a lot better.
"The works are bigger, it is very diverse.
"It is something for everyone to enjoy," Ms Fulton said.
Awards
Wanaka metalwork sculptor Scott Johnson (The Gathering) won the overall prize with a large kinetic sculpture featuring 13 dandelions.
Andie King (Mountain Scene) was overall runner-up and won the Shona Johnstone Memorial Award.
Merit awards went to Kate Willis (Black Peak), Shane Walker (two dimensional work), Amy Bixby (three dimensional work).
Five artists were highly commended: Janette Sharp (quilter), Scott Johnson (metalwork), Hilary Smith (ceramics), Joe Wright (woodwork), Tracey Porteous (framed prints).
The Wanaka Arts Society has rebranded its name to Wanaka Arts.
