Connected Kowhai
2025
Embedded Files
Crafted at Massey University at 200 level, this textiles collection focuses on the native Aotearoa taonga species the Kowhai. The collection explores the theme of connection, with the Kowhai's physical manifestation of flowers that weave and warp within one another to support this. The collection explores this perspective of the taonga, seen through a lens of a tangata tiriti designer in Aotearoa.
Design on Display
Connected Kowhai and the workbook behind it was on temporary display to the public in Wellington Botanic Garden's Begonia House alongside other classmate's works.
Connected Kowhai explores the uniqueness and depth of the Kowhai plant through textile screen printing. Each print in Connected Kowhai has reference to a different idea or story within the Kowhai plant, all which tie back to the overarching idea of connection, which are mentioned in deeper detail below.
This connection is reflected through the technical aspects of this collection, with all three prints using scatter repeat pattern systems to allow the motifs to overlap with each other more noticeably, and allow these prints to be able to be printed at any scale. All three prints also use 100% cotton denim fabric as their base, to resemble the sky background that I see from my perspective when looking at the Kowhai trees above me in my home town.
Final Collection
Print 1: Intertwining Kowhai
Print 1: Intertwining Kowhai
My first print is a 2-colour piece, using only yellow ink, named 'Intertwining Kowhai'. This piece explores connection on a physical level, taking inspiration from two kowhai species, Sophora Prostrata, and Sophora Microphylla, that are known to actively grow intertwined with one another. The decision to use solely yellow ink is significant, as to me the yellow petals of the kowhai is what makes the plant so instantly recognisable and iconic. This choice of colour also ties this print to the next in my collection, as both designs feature yellow petals.
Intertwining Kowhai
1 of 3
100% Cotton Denim
Mustard Yellow
Half drop & scatter repeat system
Print 2: Blooming Kowhai
Print 2: Blooming Kowhai
My second print is a 4-colour piece, consisting of yellow, brown, and blue ink, titled 'Blooming Kowhai'. I chose to name this piece 'Blooming' as it references a Māori legend, where a young tohunga seeks a woman's hand in marriage in the month of August. She responds telling him she will only marry him if he can perform some brilliant act, so he makes the kowhai trees around them bloom, and forms a kowhai flower crown on her head. I liked the message behind this story, as I feel it symbolises the kowhai as love and blooming, and it explores love as a connection, which ties the meaning of the print back to the main theme. This print also features deep blue wavy leaves in the background, intended to resemble tui feathers, which tie it into my next and final print in this collection.
Blooming Kowhai
2 of 3
100% Cotton Denim
Mustard Yellow
Chocolate Brown
Sea Blue
Half drop & scatter repeat system
Print 3: Feathered Kowhai
Print 3: Feathered Kowhai
My final print is called 'Feathered Kowhai', and is a 3-colour piece using brown and yellow ink. For this print, I wanted to explore the idea of connection through the reciprocal relationship between the tui and the kowhai, where the tui pollinates the kowhai, and the kowhai feeds the tui. I decided to honour this reciprocity by drawing the leaves featured in this piece as silhouettes of individual tui feathers, that frame the kowhai flowers.
Feathered Kowhai
3 of 3
100% Cotton Denim
Mustard Yellow
Chocolate Brown
Scatter repeat system
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