decked out

Several years ago I was asked to be one of the artists creating a quilted 'card' for an exhibition called 'Deck of cards ,which was to travel around USA'. I was given the King of Diamonds to interpret and struggled with my design concept for a while. I have never been fond of diamonds as a stone, and therefore had a cold and icy colour range in my mind. Eventually I realised that this was what was holding me back. I then decided to base my piece on a design which reflected the strength of a Maori warrior. I created a design which featured the head of a warrior, with a mere as a sign of kingship and a taiaha(spear) with a diamond shape on its top to interpret the diamond of the card. I obtained the permission of the local 'iwi (tribe) to use the symbols and patterning on the piece. It travelled for some time and eventually found its way home again. I was very delighted to be contacted about it recently by a lady who appreciates the references and taonga of the work. The photograph is from a detail of the head.
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