D.R. Ramae MacKinnon
Waiho ra kia whakautua taku whenua
I am a flax weaver, painter and film maker based in the Hokianga area. My connection to this land is expressed through the lens of a camera, putting paint to canvas and the weaving of flax with my hands.
These three art forms intertwine and contribute to one another to reflect the humble, honest and solid aspects of this environment. My ideas, references and inspiration are from a fascination with landscape, my attraction to repetition, order and chaos; shadows of memory and the layering of history.
| 2011 | Wheiao Ao Marama Ao Turoa | Village Arts Gallery (25.06.2011) |
| 2011 | Doors Unhinged | Village Arts Gallery |
| 2010 | Poetic License | Village Arts Gallery |
| 2009 | Te Puna Toi | Hokianga Art Gallery |
| 2008 | He Kete He Korero: Every Kete Has a Story |
Author Te Rito Maihi & Maureen Lander |
| 2007 | Hokianga | Auckland City Library |
| 2006 | Eclipse ⁄ Matariki | Kaikohe Public Library |
| 2005 | He Tangata (commissioned) | Proctor Library Kerikeri |
| 2004 | Tokerau (commissioned) | Kaikohe Public Library |
| 1996-2008 | Tutor Adult Education | Northland and Auckland |
Work sold into private collections; Aotearoa, Brisbane, Melbourne, New York, Berlin.
Flax weaving
For the past 30 years I have created both traditional and contemporary weaving in NZ flax. With commissioned works held in private collections in Aotearoa, Australia and United States. Flax weaving is a passion that I have enjoyed sharing as a tutor in many communities for over a decade. I now use flax fibre in a more contemporary way for larger, sculptural pieces.
Glorious flax weavings
Painting
I prefer to paint in oils although I enjoy the immediacy of acrylics. From being trained as a screen printer I understood the chemistry of paint, and the use of design. I worked as a fabric designer (Artist to industry) which gave me discipline in production but also an appreciation of color and texture. My present multi media works often include muka, gesso, graphite and impasto.
Stunning work
Film making
I am attracted to the fluid movement of film. I use layering incorporating opaque to transparent images that often originate from my paintings.
Her fine art enters her film work as the object, an exploration of the dynamic between artist and their work. The artist filmed in close ups with a sound track which contributes to the piece as a whole, and it has a meditative quality to it.