Collaboration with Hollie Tawhiao at Nelson Arts Festival
Waka of Dreams | Punanga Pohewa: The Dream Sanctuary is a special commission by Lissy and Rudi Robinson-Cole created in collaboration with multi-disciplinary artist Hollie Tawhiao (Ngāti Tiipa). The installation invites audiences on a journey that explores the powerful connections between whakapapa, dreams, and cultural narratives. The exhibition is their first in Te Waipounamu.
Renowned for their vibrant, crochet-based artworks and installations that merge traditional Māori toi with contemporary expressions, Lissy Robinson-Cole (Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Kahu) and Rudi Robinson-Cole (Ngaruahine, Te Arawa, Ngāti Pāoa, Waikato ki Ta) gained international attention with their largest work to date, Wharenui Harikoa, also in collaboration with Tawhiao who worked with quilt maker Maungarongo (Ron) Te Kawa (Ngāti Porou) to design the celestial entity Tupuānuku. Their shared commitment to merging traditional and contemporary Māori art forms is a testament to the powerful bonds of whakapapa and collective artistry.
To complete Waka of Dreams, Tawhiao travelled from her home in Kirikiriroa to Tāmaki Makaurau, where she and Rudi worked together on the carving of the waka. At the heart of this project is the intention of healing. While Rudi carved, Lissy was recovering from major surgery, with the project serving as a reminder of resilience and love.
“Working with Hollie on this project has been an incredible journey of creativity and healing,” says Rudi Robinson-Cole. “The Waka of Dreams carries with it the energy of collaboration and aroha, symbolising the healing and transformative power of coming together.”
Waka of Dreams represents the ultimate aspirations of human potential, guiding us to the sacred realms of creativity and love. As we journey with the twin hulls of tūmanako (hope) and whakapono (belief), we are reminded of the enduring forces that carry us through life’s challenges. The deck of the waka, representing aroha, is the unifying platform that connects us, while the sail leads us to a place of possibility and transformation—where we rise above the hardships of life and become our most authentic selves.
“Waka of Dreams is more than a physical creation—it is a beacon of hope, offering all of us the chance to reflect on our dreams and aspirations,” says Rudi Robinson-Cole. “The presence of our tūpuna (ancestors) guides this journey, helping us transcend adversity and discover our true potential as creators and dreamers.”
Accompanying Waka of Dreams is a stunning exhibition of Lissy and Rudi’s crochet and light-based sculptures, transforming the gallery into a vibrant fusion of Māori art and contemporary craft. These works not only highlight individual craftsmanship but also celebrate the power of collaboration in pushing the boundaries of indigenous art forms.
“We are thrilled to bring Waka of Dreams to the Nelson Arts Festival and share this sacred journey with audiences in Te Waipounamu for the first time,” says Lissy Robinson-Cole.
“This exhibition is a celebration of the resilience, hope, faith and courage we have as Māori to dare to dream audacious dreams and to connect all people through stories, memories and colour, shared in the spirit of aroha and guided by the wisdom of our tūpuna.”
The Nelson Arts Festival is an annual celebration of artistic excellence, fostering connections between artists, communities, and audiences. Through its diverse program of exhibitions, performances, and workshops, the festival provides a platform for creative expression that reflects the unique cultural landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand.
