Daniella Norling
Hot Stuff.
If you hurry you can still snap up a Fiona Gedson weaving without taking out a loan from the bank.
Creator of the most sublimely delicate weavings, Gedson’s works are fusion of Maori and Pakeha as she takes typical European materials like silver and copper wire, peacock feathers and mother of pearl, and uses traditional Maori techniques to weave tiny cloaks and kete.
Like perfect icons, these pieces capture the essence of New Zealand in a way that is beautiful and poignant, Gedson has exhibited in France and Los Angeles, and counts Bill Clinton and Kiri Te Kanawa among those who have purchased her work. Interestingly Gedson initially received a slow response to her work from New Zealand gallery owners who labeled her pieces ‘too Kiwi” or “too ethnic”. As a result much of her earlier work is owned by overseas collectors, but the local market is catching up fast.
Gedson grew up in Tuhoe country in the eastern Bay of Plenty and now lives in the Whakaohea region. Her surroundings influence her work, which she sees as a spiritual experience. Her love of the land, mountains and rivers all feature as inspiration for her pieces. Her passion for texture and textiles saw her create from an early age. She takes objects and combines them to transform them into something else. The process it takes is a journey for her.
Gedson was taught cloak weaving by kuia in Gisborne. She was selling hand-painted clothes at the A&P show and happened to be next door to a weaving exhibition. She sat with the ladies for a day who were pleased to teach her.
Gedson is staging an exhibition of new work in May. Her latest pieces explore the theme of her environment. While celebrating the beauty of the land and sea, she also comments on the need to take care of it and minimize the impact of humanity. Further details will be posted on Gedson’s website where you can also view more of her work: www.fionagedson.com.