Fibre artist Donna Campbell (Ngāpuhi) will spend two months in Hawaii as the 2009 recipient of the Creative New Zealand Toi Oahu Residency at the University of Hawaii.

A significant component of this residency revolves around idea sharing between two indigenous cultures. As an enthusiastic teacher, researcher and a passionate exponent of the fibre arts, Donna’s aim is to share her passion with students at the university and exchange ideas and philosophies from an artistic perspective.

“I am over the moon about receiving the residency and totally excited about being in the Hawaiian environment. My real passion is our Māori fibre arts and how these traditional techniques and materials can be used to evolve the art form without losing integrity within the production processes. I am really looking forward to engaging with faculty and students of the university and discovering and sharing our mutual art and design aspirations.”

Donna plans to create a series of adornments for the body from natural and found objects in the Hawaiian environment. These will complement a new woven garment inspired by the environs of Oahu that reflects the Hawaiian and Māori aesthetic in form, materials and design.

Donna Campbell leaves for Hawaii in September 2009 to take up the two-month residency.