Glass works tell of shared history

GISBORNE’S Rongowhakaata iwi next week launches a multi-venue exhibition that celebrates its art and history, but not all of the exhibitors will be Maori. Former Manutuke glass artist Susan Louie will also be displaying work to showcase the shared Maori/Chinese history of the region.

It will not be the first time the Auckland-based artist has shown her market garden-inspired cast glass works. In 2008 she had an installation at Tairawhiti Museum.

However, it will be the first time they have been shown in a marae environment as part of the installation at Whakato Marae (January 4-5), one of five host venues of the Rongowhakaata event.

“When I went into glass casting I was encouraged to find a theme so my artwork is borne from the soil of our market garden in Manutuke,” she says.

“I remember how, back in the day, I used to go to Manutuke School with a big cleaver in my bag and a watermelon and would sit among my friends and cut up slices for everyone to eat. Nowadays, I don’t think cleavers are allowed on school grounds, but those were the days.”

After the marae exhibition, Louie plans to show (and sell) her work at a private Waikanae Beach home.

Older pieces will be available — among them Louie’s now-iconic cast glass moon cakes — as well as a new series of small yet hefty “rice bowls”.

“It’s been a while since I’ve had an exhibition in Gisborne so I thought this would be a great opportunity,” she says.

“Plus, it’s a wonderful excuse to head home.”