Louie Zalk-Neale

Louie Zalk-Neale often works with tī kōuka fibre, a versatile material embedded with generations of mātauraka. Tī kōuka is known by iwi across the motu as a water-resistant weaving material, a source of kai, a healing rokoā and a tohu that provides guidance in the landscape. Zalk-Neale makes adornments using tī kōuka fibre, often wearing them in their photographs and performances to explore whakapapa relationships between human and aquatic lifeforms.

tī kōuka ~ cabbage tree

mātauraka ~ knowledge

iwi ~ tribes

motu ~ country

kai ~ food

rokoā ~ remedy, medicine

tohu ~ sign, symbol, landmark, message