Panel discussion: Architecture of Aroha

This panel discussion presents research from Gunvor Guttorm and Tanya White concerning the gietkka and wahakura – baby sleeping vessels from Sámi and Māori communities respectively.

These Indigenous designs hold ancestral wisdom about care and love and the interconnected world that brings nature, the land, makers, family, ancestors, and the extended community together. Each uses materials that are sourced locally thus echoing the rhythms of the environment and showing the connection between all aspects of life and land for Indigenous peoples.

This presentation will share insights from Gunvor Guttorm and Tanya White on gietkka and wahakura, their own making practices, and how these designs have come together across the world for this collaborative exhibition project.

Architecture of Aroha includes contributions from Gunvor Guttorm, Berit Kristine Andersen Guvsám, Inga Ravna Eira, Tanya White, and Jasmine Te Hira and is curated by Zoe Black.

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Gunvor Guttorm is Professor in duodji (Sámi arts and crafts, traditional art, applied art) at Sámi allaskuvla/Sámi University of Applied Sciences, Guovdageaidnu. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in duodji at Sámi University College level, both practically and theoretically. She has written several articles about how the traditional knowledge of Sámi art and craft is transformed to the modern lifestyle.

Tanya Reihana White is a kairaranga (weaver) based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and is a descendant of the tribes of Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Hineāmaru and Ngāti Maniapoto. As a practitioner for many years her focus has been on the integration of health and wellbeing between people and the land. Her master’s degree focussed on mokopuna (the grandchild) wellbeing through the healing practices and tikanga (ways of being and doing) of raranga wahakura (weaving safe sleeping vessels for newborn infants). Tanya’s current role is based at Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka, as Kaitiaki Taiao.

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Gunvor Guttorm is a visitor to Aotearoa from Sápmi, supported by Nordisk Kulturfond’s Globus initiative, Norwegian Crafts and Sámi allaskuvla / Sámi University of Applied Sciences. Our thanks to The Purple Gift for providing special support for public programming around Architecture of Aroha.

(above) Architecture of Aroha, 2023, installation views at Konsthallen Kulturens Hus, Luleå at The Luleå Biennial, photographs by LKP

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