Between the Folds: Between the folds

Abstract

"Dagmar Dyck is a pioneer for a myriad of reasons. In 1995, she was the first woman of Tongan descent to graduate from Elam School of Fine Art and it seems only fitting that she held her solo exhibition, 'Kofukofu Koloa', at the gallery of her alma mater, Gus Fisher Gallery. Since the early 1990s, Dyck has explored 'koloa' (tangible and intangible heritage of textile and material wealth), drawing heavily on patterns and symbols from Tongan textiles such as 'ngatu' (decorated barkcloth) and 'kie' (woven mats) to develop multiple bodies of work. Her unique pictorial language has brought aspects of Tongan cultural heritage from the fringes to the centre of contemporary New Zealand art."