Pura Pura Whetu
Pura Pura Whetu consists of woven sculpture and harakeke beads, of which Michelle has been developing for the past 5 years. 

The name Pura Pura Whetu is a traditional weaving pattern and symbolizes the numerous starts in the heavens.

Pura Pura Whetu was inspired by pûrâkau (traditional Mâori narratives) that describe how the celestial bodies were created and bought into the world of light.

“No reiri, Ka tipu te whaihanga e hika, ki Uawa!”

Michelle Hinekura Kerr
Te Aitanga a Hauiti. Te Whanau a Apanui, Ngai Tuhoe, Ngati Porou, Ngati Raukawa

Michelle is a kairaranga (traditional Mâori weaver) who descends from a whanau of weavers.  Michelle’s art practice embraces the intergenerational continuity of her traditional weaving heritage.  Drawing on the learnings of her ancestry she continues to renew that body of knowledge for future generations, as did her grandmother Matarina Stirling Tangohau.

Michelle’s work is kaupapa (subject) driven, contemporary at first glance but stepped in tradition.