Queen Joker
Victim
Prostitute Gambler
Saboteur
King Guide Judge Servant Child Merrilyn Mother George Vampire
Ohakune New Zealand
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rowing up our family of four girls lived in the remnant settlement amidst native bush at Horopito, New Zealand. My younger sister and I played with dolls in the bush, making mud pies and using the rotten logs for money in ‘our shop’ games; we fed animals, and caught freshwater crayfish in the creek. My dad taught me to knit and to sew with the sewing machine, as well as bush lore. During our extended family gatherings, I listened to stories adults told – sowing the seed for the local history books I have written. I started school at four years old. I am still there, 72 years later. Still learning! Care of environment, social issues and involvement in Māori community informs my practice. I recycle and colour
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my own fabric, often over-printing to enrich layers. I rust and eco dye fabric and I love paper. Narrative has become important to my creative practice. In this recycled fabric collage the focus is on the child who loves nature; the child who has been nurtured to love all creation. The image, stitched from a 1949 photograph, references that carefree child of the bush, the nature child, holding the hands of grandparents, while inspecting the stones on the road. The stenciled and stitched plants are from my environment, to complement the recycled furniture samples. The lace cloth was from family. The bush was my cradle and is still my sanctuary.
