Cook Islands artists look to copyright quilt designs

Tivaevae expert Mary Ama (left) helps Auckland artist Michelle Osborne with the early stages of her creation during a workshop held at Artstation in Ponsonby. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Mary Ama keeps her precious tivaevae (quilt) hidden from prying eyes in a glory box.

The Cook Island-born woman does not want her designs copied, a problem she says is growing.

Ms Ama, a Waitakere teacher of tivaevae-making, said many of the traditional designs had been usurped by non-Cook Islanders and used in profit-making ventures. That was not the tivaevae way.

"The beauty of the tivaevae is the sharing of cultural values, not for business."

Many Cook Island women were now copyrighting their patterns - "It is like intellectual property".

She did not mind teaching the techniques, but respect was needed from the students.

"I have heard of a person who has not even grown up in the culture who is now teaching tivaevae."

Before European influence, the tivaevae were made using bones as needles, hibiscus bark as thread and tapa cloth.

Now the brightly coloured and handstitched cotton tivaevae are increasingly popular and can fetch thousands of dollars each. Many regard them more as works of art than functional bedspreads.

Ms Ama said they were an important part of Cook Island culture, where the women would gather to stitch and discuss events.

"It is their politics, they are in charge."

Many problems could be solved over the needles and threads, she said.

"You don't need social workers. It is the sharing and looking after each other, working out how you can help. We solve a lot of problems."

The tivaevae also remind Cook Island women of their family, like an upcoming 21st birthday or a marriage.

Ms Ama has been teaching tivaevae-making at Artstation in Ponsonby as part of the build-up to Pasifika this Saturday. It had been planned that "mamas" from the Cook Islands would take some courses, but they were unable to leave because of the cyclones which hit the group.

Genetic Pasifika is a three-week event at Artstation and brings together a range of crafts, workshops and events.