The works exhibited in Leafiness are a celebration of adaptability and endurance. Rhona Orr weaves pohutukawa leaves to highlight nature's resilience.
A leaf shows all its experiences: nibbled by insects, ripped by the wind, torn by trimmers, shaded from the sun, or exposed to the elements. In response, leaves adapt and transform into unique shapes, textures and colours. Leaves persevere through these experiences until they age, fade, and fall.
This visual, honest expression of how life experiences alter leaves fascinates Rhona. As she collects leaves, she is drawn to those that, like many of us, have lived complex, sometimes traumatic lives. Through weaving, she captures the leaves' adaptability and vibrancy before they fade, celebrating the endurance and interconnectedness of all life.
Image: Rhona Orr, Paremata Roundabout Sewage Pump 2. 1/1, 2024
