Kete whakairo (patterned basket)

Gold kete whakairo.

This exquisite kete whakairo (patterned basket) was woven using gold wire by artist/jeweller Matthew McIntyre-Wilson (Taranaki, Ngamahanga, Titahi).

This kete whakairo is the first example of Matthew's work into contemporary renditions of Māori fibre arts using gold. According to Matthew, the use of gold has a material association with money and status. Because of this he decided to choose a more humble pattern to be woven. The pattern represented in this gold kete whakairo is often used in kete which are used for general every day use.

McIntyre-Wilson draws influence from ancestral work that he studies in museum collections and also acknowledges the late, gifted male weaver Rangi Kiu, for inspiring his directionin Māori weaving.