NZ House & Garden June 2006

Natural History Story: Denise Irvine

Photos: Nicloa Topping

http://www.nzhouseandgarden.co.nz/Articles/NaturalHistory-BayofPlentyArtist.asp

Fibre art on display

The intricate and beautiful artwork of Opotiki artist Fiona Gedson will be on display at the Thames Quintessential New Zealand Art studio until early February.
Mrs Gedson is a celebrated artist and has been part of exhibitions in both France and Los Angeles. She has been awarded the Thames Art Society Fibre Award four times, and is well respected in the New Zealand Art scene for her work with miniature weaving and her more recent extension into broader media.

Quintessential New Zealand Art News August 2005

On the creative scene, the Gallery has recently taken in some exciting new work from raranga weaver, Fiona Gedson. Fiona works from a unique mobile straw-bale constructed studio in the Waiotahe Valley, near Opotiki, and produces intricate weavings that are a fusion of Maori weaving styles and European materials. The results are highly sort-after collectors pieces elegantly displayed in their own frames. So sought-after in fact, that a beautiful miniature korowai cloak, woven incorporating peacock feathers, sold almost immediately it arrived in the Gallery. Fortunately for those who missed out, we have just received more of Fiona's beautiful work to replace it.

Photo credit to Peter Quinn www.newzealandimages.co.nz

CHALLENGING - Mixed media artwork depicts Waiotahi Drifts

Waiotahi Drifts is the subject of a thought-provoking exhibition launched today at the new Cobalt Gallery, which is part of the Two Fish Café in Church Street.
Opotiki artist Fiona Gedson says the mixed media artwork, which features sand and gold and silver leafing on plywood is her artistic comment on the new subdivision near Waiotahi Beach.
The artist says the imagery on the main exhibit depicts the heartbeat of the sand dunes affected by the development, which begin with vibrancy and then end lifeless.
A second piece has as its subject the two bodies which were discovered when the land for the housing development was being excavated

Opotiki News June 2, 2005
Sven Carlsson

Exhibition kick starts restoration drive

National weaving artist a drawcard

An artist who is exploring weaving as a spiritual experience and who has turned her sights towards past art forms could hardly be a more suitable draw card for the Art Society's drive to restore their old building.

"I had planned to have an opening at my recently completed studio, but was then asked by the Art Society and I accepted," artist Mrs Fiona Gedson said.
Mrs Gedson, who lives in Waiotahi surrounded by the pastoral, has a brand new mobile straw bale studio - courtesy of husband and friends - that's waiting for her to continue her exploration.
"I haven't spent much time in it lately; we now have four children - but it's here waiting for me."
Meanwhile, some of her work has been transported to the century-old art hall in King Street where it will feature in the exhibition opening today.
Opotiki Art Society president Judith Lane said she was very pleased to have Mrs Gedson as the guest artist for the exhibition.
"Her exquisite work is known throughout New Zealand and this is a brand new collection."

Hot Stuff

If you hurry you can still snap up a Fiona Gedson weaving without taking out a loan from the bank.

Creator of the most sublimely delicate weavings, Gedson's works are fusion of Maori and Pakeha as she takes typical European materials like silver and copper wire, peacock feathers and mother of pearl, and uses traditional Maori techniques to weave tiny cloaks and kete.

Like perfect icons, these pieces capture the essence of New Zealand in a way that is beautiful and poignant, Gedson has exhibited in France and Los Angeles, and counts Bill Clinton and Kiri Te Kanawa among those who have purchased her work. Interestingly Gedson initially received a slow response to her work from New Zealand gallery owners who labeled her pieces 'too Kiwi" or "too ethnic". As a result much of her earlier work is owned by overseas collectors, but the local market is catching up fast.

Gedson grew up in Tuhoe country in the eastern Bay of Plenty and now lives in the Whakaohea region. Her surroundings influence her work, which she sees as a spiritual experience. Her love of the land, mountains and rivers all feature as inspiration for her pieces. Her passion for texture and textiles saw her create from an early age. She takes objects and combines them to transform them into something else. The process it takes is a journey for her.

Gedson was taught cloak weaving by kuia in Gisborne. She was selling hand-painted clothes at the A&P show and happened to be next door to a weaving exhibition. She sat with the ladies for a day who were pleased to teach her.

Gedson is staging an exhibition of new work in May. Her latest pieces explore the theme of her environment. While celebrating the beauty of the land and sea, she also comments on the need to take care of it and minimize the impact of humanity. Further details will be posted on Gedson's website where you can also view more of her work: www.fionagedson.com.

Eastern Bay News– July 2000
Rua Kete was eye-catching from a distance but was more beautiful close up because, “you realize you’re looking at Peacock feathers.

The use of feathers on tiny woven baskets showed intricacy and detail”, said Mrs Hartland who bought the entry.

Opotiki News - June 2000
“Melbourne-based fashion designer, Dr Yvonne Karlsson was impressed with the art and fashion entries at Fibre & Fleece 2000”

She echoed the sentiments of fellow judge Jopi Hartland that the overall winning piece, a Maori Art entry, was eye-catching.

She also conceded that she had hoped to buy Fiona Gedson’s entry Rua-Kete but was beaten to the sale”.

Rua Kete