'Spiral 8: Setting the [Work] Table' celebrates artists and writers associated with Spiral who have now left us. In birth date order, they are Jacquie (J.C.) Sturm, Renée, Arapera Blank, Gladys Gurney (Saj), Frances Cherry, Marilynn Webb, Heather McPherson, Keri Kaa, Rosemary Johnson, Pauline Neale, Miriama Evans, Joanna Margaret Paul, Juanita Ketchel, Irihapeti Ramsden, Keri Hulme, Sharon Alston, Hilary Baxter, Allie Eagle, Lynne Ciochetto. 

Some are very well known, others are almost forgotten, but we cherish them all, presenting them in their own words wherever possible.

Because of space pressure, Hilary Baxter, Allie Eagle, Lynne Ciochetto, the 'youngest' of the group, have been taken into 'Some Stories', fitting comfortably with their contemporaries who are still with us. 

The title comes from one of Renée's plays, 'Setting the Table', where a character says "We’re setting the table, right? We might not be the ones to sit down at the table but we’ll get it ready…" The selections, taken in collaboration with whānau and families, highlight how these women worked to 'set the table' for those who came after them; and the love and support they gave to their peers.

Additional writers: Andrea Kelland, Angela Moewaka Barnes, Bridie Lonie, Cath Koa Dunsford, Cilla McQueen, Claire-Louise McCurdy, Doreen Agassiz-Suddens, Elizabeth McRae, Fiona Lovatt, Judith Galtry, Kim Hunt, Lis Ellison-Loschmann, Lisa Sabbage, Marg Sharpe, Marian Evans, Miriam Saphira, Pat Rosier, Robin Swanney-McPherson.

Cover: Biz Hayman

Cover photo: Joan Caulfield