item details
NameLaundry bag with clothes hanger
ProductionUnknown; maker/artist; circa 1955; New Zealand
May Anne Smith; fabric designer; circa 1955
May Anne Smith; fabric designer; circa 1955
Classificationgarment bags, coat hangers
Materialscotton, rayon, wood, metal
Materials Summaryscreen or block printing on rayon with cotton lining and wood and metal hanger
Techniquesblock printing, screen printing
DimensionsOverall: 500mm (width), 782mm (height)
Registration NumberGH018116
Credit lineGift of unknown donor, 2015
Overview
Inspired by Maori rock drawings
This laundry bag has been made with fabric printed by May Smith, a painter and textile designer. The bag features block printed designs inspired by Maori rock drawings.
Smith's interest in Maori rock drawings reflects the impact of a project carried out by the artist and photographer, Theo Schoon. Between 1946 and 1948 Schoon was engaged by the Department of Internal Affairs to sketch and photograph Maori rock drawings in Canterbury and North Otago. His drawings and photographs inspired a number of artists, including Gordon Walters and
A.R.D 'Rex' Fairburn. The latter studied textile design under Smith, and created Maori rock inspired textiles his own, some of which are also in Te Papa's collection.