Atiu Fibre Arts Studio
Textile art
Since 1986, the Atiu Fibre Arts Studio has been famous for artworks that combine Cook Islands traditional knowledge, skills and materials with new techniques and inspiration. Polynesian motifs interact with contemporary design, innovative techniques of dyeing, sewing and embroidery. Each piece is a unique work, designed by Andrea Eimke, the company's founder and director.
Contemporary artworks displayed at the Studio Gallery, © Andrea Eimke 2009
Andrea's own artworks have featured in several solo and group exhibitions at home and overseas.
These include art objects, installations, art quilts, textile collages, wearable art, wall tivaivai and bed tivaivai. Andrea enjoys the challenge of applying innovative techniques to private and corporate commissions.
(left: "Fragments 2 - detail"; tapa, machine-sewn lace, coral on canvas, 40 cm x 40 cm, © Andrea Eimke 2010)
Tivaivai
The Studio is also well known for its tivaivai, the Cook Islands' traditional ceremonial cloths. "Tivaivai" means patchwork and is the general term for unpadded, unquilted, mostly appliquéd coverlets of about 2.50 m X 3.00 m, sometimes heavily embellished with intricate embroidery.
Bed and wall tivaivai, and tivaivai-inspired cushion covers, © Andrea Eimke 2008
The Studio's works can be found in public and private collections in the Cook Islands and abroad. The National Culture Centre, banks and hotels on Rarotonga, and the Intercontinental Hotel on Maui (Hawaii) have commissioned us to create artwork for them. The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne (Australia) acquired one of its tivaivai for their permanent collection.
The Atiu Fibre Arts Studio participated in a number of national and international textile exhibitions in the USA, Europe, Australia and Oceania, many of which Andrea curated. She has also lectured about the Cook Islands’ traditional ceremonial cloths and conducted workshops internationally.
The Fibre Arts Studio uses a wide variety of materials and natural fibres: cotton, silk, linen, tapa (bark cloth). Many of the fabrics are hand-dyed to achieve a perfect colour match with the natural materials. On request, Andrea conducts private workshops at the Studio for textile enthusiasts, who are interested in learning new textile techniques and enjoy working in a tranquil island environment.
Visit Andrea at the Atiu Fibre Arts Studio. Ask for information on specially commissioned textile artwork. If you would like to see more tivaivai, wall hangings, art quilts and fibre arts objects, have a look at our comprehensive catalogue.
