ARTISTS' BIO
MANDY BLIGHT
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Fibre Artist and Teacher
I am originally from Cornwall, UK and currently live in Rarangi, NZ. I have had a 35 year career teaching disadvantaged youth. My weaving (raranga) journey started in 2007 after enrolling in a Maori Art course at Te Wananga o Aotearoa where I was taught by Master Weaver Adrienne Spratt. I went on to complete a degree in Maori Art, BA Maunga Kura Toi and have continued to learn from Adrienne Spratt and other talented weavers and artists. My passion for raranga empowered me and it changed my way of teaching. As a teacher in Te au Rere a te Tonga (Youth Justice facility) raranga helped me to re-engage many of the youth I taught. I also learnt that raranga was important for my wairua, tinana and hinengaro. I have worked with other weavers to complete collective pieces including the restoration of tukutuku panels and kapa haka kakahu (maro, piupiu and pake). I have exhibited work at Te Wananga o Aotearoa and Te Manawa and have work in private collections in UK, Australia, Tonga and Aotearoa. |
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