Patterns of Identity on show at The Art Studio

Artist Kay George has outdone herself in her solo exhibition entitled “Patterns of Identity” which opened at The Art Studio in Arorangi on Monday.
The theme of the exhibition is all about changes from tribal style to missionary woman to the modern woman and all the permutations in between. The works mix symbolism and realism in a very intriguing way that captures the attention of the viewer visually as well as intellectually as Kay explores the theme of the changing patterns of identity for Cook Islands women as they have changed their adornment over the generations.
For instance, there is the original tribal woman whom Kay visualizes as the warrior woman, beautiful and strong with long flowing hair and minimal clothing. Very much like the original woman, the beautiful and seductive Eve from the story of Creation in the Holy Bible.
Then there is the missionary woman dressed head to foot in her voluminous and modest flowing gown dress and her hair in a severe upswept chignon off her face. Kay is delighted with the effects of the missionary woman with the blues coming through very strongly with the colour symbolic of the Blue Laws which were administered by the Ariki in the missionary and early colonial days of the Cook Islands.
The look changes through the generations when the Tahitian influence (perhaps Hawaiian too) was evident in the frills on the hems of dresses and then on to the contemporary look of the woman in her prime or their beautiful daughters.
The young and beautiful generation of women wear whatever they want, whether proudly showing off tribal tattoos like Shannon Haworth in a modern take of the Warrior Woman (and probably secretly loving the disapproval of the conservative Mamas and Papas) or like Debra Joy wearing her chic Parisian gown and looking as elegant and gorgeous as a movie star – the choice is theirs without any restrictions.
The “Patterns of Identity” exhibition marks the finale of her two year studies culminating in her being awarded her Masters Degree in Art and Design through Auckland University of Technology 2010 along with her fellow students.
This amazing exhibition is open from 23 February to Monday 8 March 2010 at The Art Studio in Arorangi. Kia manuia to Kay George.