Image: ‘Tau Whiro’ and ‘Ahorangi’ – created in NZ wool by Lissy & Rudi Robinson-Cole

Lissy Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāruahine, Ngāti Makirangi, Ngai Tū, Te Arawa) are a husband-and-wife team whose work explores mātauranga Māori through crocheted sculptural forms.

They describe their practice as being “grounded in one central kaupapa; to transform inter-generational trauma into deeply felt joy, one loop at a time”.

Whiria Ngā Kanorau – Weave the Many Colours / Seeds at Tim Melville Gallery comprises eight hand-carved crochet-covered wheku and five painted wheku tondos. The Wheku form is a representation of the carved face of an ancestor, traditionally found at the apex of the wharenui gable.

The artists’ much-loved vintage caravan is also installed in the gallery. Exuberantly painted and furnished, Anahera is a place of comfort and refuge where visitors can relax and snuggle-test Lissy and Rudi’s new limited-edition 100% merino wool Harikoa Blankets.