Whakawatea - New works on paper

Title: Tūāpā – to clear the way

Cerisse Palalagi

2007 screenprint

Edition 1/1

In celebratiion of Spring/ Summer I have started a series of prints based on the notion of 'Whakawatea'- to clear, free, make way.

I am layering the Fresh green oval shapes over the top of one another, creating a sense of depth, inviting the viewer to take a closer look, and reveal multi layered imagery.

Inspiration has come from Papatuanuku herself, New growth on trees, freshly cut grass and making way for new ideas, new ways of thinking, living, and looking.

I have always wanted to use Maori imagery in my prints, & this has presented me with the opportunity to express my love for Kowhaiwhai and Maori artefacts.

These prints are only part of a larger series I am building up for a 5 women printmakers show called, “E moe i te wahine ringa raweke” – Marry the woman with busy hands.

Artists involved in the show are Vanessa Edwards, Sam Farquhar, Ruth Green Cole, Natalie Couch and myself.

Exhibition dates , opening: Saturday 27th October, 4.30pm

The show will be at Kura Gallery,19 Allen Street
Wellington
Ph: 04 802 4934 Fax: 04 802 4935Email: info@kuragallery.co.nz

Afro comb digital experiments

The top image is actually an animated gif file, and the original is below.

I enjoy finding pictures that I appeal to me on the internet, adding to them or breaking them down to a degree where I feel they are finished.

Today I had a played around with an image of a old antique traditionally made hair comb from the Pacific Islands, and added text that relates to the comb which is 'Afro'.
I placed an effect on the image called 'old film', I just really love that Old school look it gives the image. I chose the old English font for the text because my younger teenage siblings use it alot when they get there clothing 'personalised'. I like the connections associated between the ancient comb, & the text.....a series perhaps?

I'll just keep playing and let these experimental works evolve.

Lavalavas stacked installation

I have been wanting to do something with Lavalava material for a long time & I like how Marie Watt used blankets. However, I want to try this idea using lavlava, except stacked up in a urban environment, eg: Southdown Trainstop.( I'll talk more about this later)

Blanket Stories, by artist Marie Watt

Marie Watt: Blanket Stories: Almanac September 30, 2006 – January 21, 2007 This exhibition features new and recent works by Portland, Oregon, artist Marie Watt. Using symbolic materials such as reclaimed blankets to communicate ideas about her First Nations’ heritage, the artist draws attention to simple everyday items in our lives that are infused with meaning, but are often taken for granted. Inspired by Native American blankets and their history, Watt’s wall-hung fiber works, sculptures and lithographs explore cultural identity by combining the ancient form of blanket making with the aesthetic of 20th century modern painting. Her fiber and bronze sculptures investigate cultural connections, from a personal as well as a universal perspective.

Marie Watt Blanket Stack Lewis and Clark, 2003 floor-to-ceiling folded and stacked blankets, with reclaimed red cedar bases Collection of the Artist

Return to the hand made life

My return to the handmade life has been a long but satisfying journey.
My pregnancy & the birth of my son (bJuly, 2006) has been the main catalyst in regards to everything I've been involved with art wise so far, since February 2006.

Before that, I had been dabbling with drawings & splashes of paint here and there, but I felt downhearted. I'm so glad that time has passed, and it's upwards & onwards from here on in.

I have a long way to go, in terms of distant goals eg. Travel to and exhibiting my works in Europe, The Pacific Islands, Asia, the U.S. and abroad.
However, I am a big dreamer- with monumental dreams, which I am currently working on making into my 'Reality'.
On that note, I am going to carry on with my collage drawings while my son is peacefully sleeping, until next time-
Kia monuina,
Cerisse Palalagi

Collage is cool

I had so much fun collaging mono prints, woodcut prints & found paper. I lay these cut out shapes on and around the screen printed images.
I really enjoyed looking at the textures & colours, seeing how they felt against one another.

For each composition, I always started in the center of the image & worked my way outwards.
I worked on one at a time to a point where I felt that was enough, or with some I would do so much, put it a side/.... start some more & then eventually go back to an unfinished work and complete it.

I let the clothing dictate the nature of how the work evolved.
On some of the collaged works I combined elements of 'drawing' to it, my signature.

Niu works by Cerisse Palalagi & Natalie Couch

Working on the Manu prints with artist& friend Natalie Couch, I was about to make a whole bunch of prints in town when I realised I didnt really have time.

I soon remembered that I had old prints from a few years back studying at Te kura toi o Buck Nin sitting underneath my bed. ( I was reluctant to throw them out as I always remembered what my old Art teacher Amanda Bade told me, 'Never throw your prints away, even if you think they are ugly at the time, they'll come in handy one day...& you know what, she was absolutely right!)

I decided to go ahead & recycle these prints by utilising them in this project. Carefully cutting out shapes, this process allowed me to think about how I might use these on each print.
It seemed natural to use these prints in the project as the main colours I had printed in were green, orange & brown.

In the Manu project Natalie Couch & I decided on the exact same colours, hows that for a complete coincidence. I think its the Universe's way of arranging things in time exactly as it is meant to work out.

We both screen printed the dolls onto paper, then collaged & illustrated them to a pint we felt that they were finished.
Initially we were really inspired by the 'Manu' souvenir doll, we were both gifted one as children & they become our connection to all things Maori. We ended up having a play around with her 'features' and presented a few variations of Manu, reflecting the varied features of many Maori women of mixed heritage.
The exhibition is at Artstation , 1 Ponsonby Rd, Auckland