Artist: Tracey Morgan

Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Mutunga

 

Tracey Morgan was initiated into Māori weaving by the Kāpiti Weavers at the age of 16 and mentored by Hereke Ethol Jenkins of Waikanae, who in turn was taught by Tracey’s great grandmother, Ngawati Morehu. She then went on to undertake a Bachelor of Applied Visual Arts and Design at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua followed by a Master of Māori Visual Arts (First Class Honours) at Massey University.

 

“I was taught on the understanding that I would teach others”, a principle that Tracey has practised in her career as a tutor, educationalist and advocate for Māori weaving, serving on Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa National Committee, as current Editor of the National Māori Weavers’ magazine, Deputy Chair of the Toi Māori Aotearoa Board of Trustees and New Zealand Qualifications Authority facilitator for various Ngā Toi subjects including Pacifica and mainstream.

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Tracey is focused on customary weaving techniques, pattern and colour though confidently deploys this knowledge in new and creative ways.

 

She also draws inspiration from relationships she has built with other indigenous weaving communities. By incorporating these influences into her weaving, Tracey acknowledges the positive impact of these exchanges and her experience of feeling part of a global fraternity of weavers.

Tracey resides in Waikanae and has an extensive background in public service in the Kāpiti region; Chair of Maungakotukutuku Ahu Whenua Trust, Trust board member for Kāpiti Coast District Council Iwi Town Centres working group, Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai trust board and iwi representative on the Mahara Gallery Working Group and Waikanae Library and Cultural Centre Development.

 

Recent exhibitions include:

Tiaho Mai, Kiwibank Paraparaumu, 2021

Te Ringa Māhorahora, Toi Matarau Gallery, Māoriland Film Hub, Ōtaki, 2022

Whiriwhiria: Ōtaki Weavers, Toi Māori Gallery, 2022