Claudette Collis

Claudette Collis is a dynamic Kairaranga who has exhibited her weaving in both Te Ika a Māui and Te Waipounamu. Claudette’s practice is deeply rooted in her whakapapa, upholding traditional Māori weaving and mātauranga Māori through contemporary artistic expression

Gradients of muted green, waxed yellow, and flecks of burnt umber trickle through the muka; the textural quality of ‘Whiri Moana’ is delicate and wispy in length, yet coarse and thick as a whole. Presented in raw form, each strand diverges from one another, just as streams would lead towards a common river; they are bound together in unity by a single plait.

Claudette explores the dynamic relationship between the tangible and intangible, where light, air, gravity, and tension are active participants. ‘Whiri Moana’ acknowledges our role as kaitiaki (guardians) of Te Taiao (our natural world), a manifestation of the interconnectedness of life.

‘Whiri Moana’ is adaptable, suspended at any height to evoke submersion, ascent, and shifting tides. Indoors, it casts moving shadows, responding to air currents. Outdoors, it interacts with wind, water, and light, reinforcing its connection to Tangaroa. Whether free-hanging, wall-mounted, or site-specific, it invites dynamic engagement with space.