Rowan Panther brings contemporary Pacific interpretations to traditional European lacemaking - consciously working together her own Irish, English, Prussian and Samoan heritage in the context of Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Working predominantly in Muka, a raw fibre from the Harakeke plant, and producing wearable adornments which draw on shapes and motifs from the wider Moana Oceania she produces works that are hybrids of cultural traditions. Using craft as a tool to explore wider ideas, the objects made are vessels to talk about ideas and thoughts that are often hard to discuss, a soft approach to difficult topics of culture and identity negotiation.

A couple of examples of Rowan's work, the second of which is displayed at the Auckland Museum, via facebook.com/rowanpantherlace. Last image: Rowan making one of her pieces.

 Panther completed a Diploma in Contemporary Photography from Unitec in 2002, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elam in 2008.  She has exhibited in Aotearoa, London and Paris.  Her work is held in the collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira. In 2021 she was a recipient of the Blumhardt Foundation Dame Doreen's Gift.

Here is Rowan's presentation she prepared for Fashioning Assembly Hui Auaha o Aotearoa about her practise:

Find Rowan Panther's work on facebook: facebook.com/rowanpantherlace or instagram @rowanpantherlace.

Fashioning Assembly Aotearoa was supported by the City Centre targeted rate. 

Global Fashioning Assembly 2022 was supported by the Creative Industries fund NL. 

web: www.globalfashioningassembly.com

insta: @globalfashioningassembly