Roka Hurihia Ngarimu-Cameron (born in Opotiki in the late 40’s) lived with her kuia (grandmother) Roka and mother Te Oti at Hawai. Roka continues to live on the Hawai Marae with family, including husband Kerry Cameron. The kowhaiwhai design that adorns their whare, uses the koru design to tell of their dual cultural heritage.
Roka, was a lecturer at the University of Otago and completed a Master of Fine Arts degree at the School of Art Te Kura Matatini Ki Otago (Otago Polytechnic) in 2008. Her postgraduate studies focused on the translation of traditional off loom hand woven garments into a contemporary arts practice in loom weaving. Roka’s aim – to weave the cultures of Aotearoa together.
In this exhibition, Roka’s pieces – korowai (cloaks), kete’s (baskets), pukaea (flutes), etc – are displayed alongside two and three dimensional works (by various well known NZ artists) representing the birds, forests, and oceans that provide the materials used in her works.