Bernadette Ross
Bernadette Ross embarked on her creative path into Te Raranga, the traditional Māori art of weaving, when her career as a landscape gardener came to a sudden and unexpected end due to injury. Searching for a new direction, Bernadette found herself enrolling at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa where she completed a four-year degree specialising in Raranga.
Bernadette’s daily practice is closely connected to the natural world around her. She sources materials from Auckland’s botanical gardens, and plants locally to access the specific types of flax she prefers, including taiore, pungapunga, and kōhanga. Her inspiration comes from the landscapes of New Zealand, particularly the sea, bush, and sky, which she interprets through the colours and textures in her weaving. A notable piece, inspired by her childhood memories of the Coromandel and the rare native clematis, captures the vibrancy of the New Zealand canopy.
For Bernadette, weaving is not just an art form but a testament to perseverance. She encourages aspiring weavers to keep trying, even when it feels difficult, sharing that she herself struggled initially but found success through determination. Today, her work is featured in galleries, a reality she never imagined and she continues to teach and inspire others with her dedication to the craft.
“I never wove naturally. I was useless to start with, but I persevered, persevered, persevered, and then got it here. So don’t give up. Don’t give up. It’ll happen.”