Elaine Bevan

"I find my work challenging yet very rewarding because I'm doing something that I'm passionate about."

Tribal affiliations: Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa, Ngati Tukorehe me Ngati Wehiwehi

Elaine Bevan travelled to Salem, Oregon in September 2005 as an exhibiting artist in the exhibition 'Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread'

'I feel very privileged and excited to have been chosen to have my work exhibited in Oregon with other well-known weavers and to share, inspire and be inspired with our local weavers as well as the indigenous weavers and artists abroad. This event will create a greater interest in Maori art and culture.'

Elaine was exposed to weaving as a child watching her cousin weave kete (baskets) and began to weave in 1985 whilst pregnant with her first child.

She incorporates contemporary designs in her work but is drawn more to traditional styles and materials. Elaine's designs usually unfold as her work progresses. She has always admired fine work whether it is mahi whatu (plaiting) or mahi raranga (finger weaving) and gets more satisfaction out of making pieces of this kind although it demands more time, skill and patience.

She is presently growing a variety of flaxes including pingao to expand and conserve her local resources and provide access to quality weaving material for weavers.

Elaine graduated with a Bachelor of Design & Art at Te Wananga o Raukawa in 2001. She taught basic weaving at the local primary schools and college in Otaki and is currently employed by the Wananga tutoring Diploma of Design & Art students.

She recently became a toi iho™ accredited artist. toi iho™ is a registered trade mark used to promote and sell authentic, quality Maori arts and crafts.

'I find my work challenging yet very rewarding because I'm doing something that I'm passionate about. It gives me the opportunity to gain inspiration from other artists and their work, exhibit in galleries, attend various hui raranga weavers' gatherings and research materials and techniques of an art form I love to work with.'

Links

Elaine is an exhibiting artist in 'Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread' exhibition at the Burke Museum in Seattle, Washington, USA.

Read more about 'Toi Maori: The Eternal Thread' international touring exhibition of Maori weaving.

Elaine Bevan Artist Profile on the toi iho™ website.

Elaine's work was featured as part of the Poi Exhibition at Te Papa Tongarewa in 2005.