With a distinctive quilting style characterized by strong colors and a striking tactile quality, exploration of Maori knowledge, own origins and female deities is pervasive in Ron Te Kawa’s practice. In his works, he breaks with established traditions for quilting, as different types of textiles are used to convey scenes from his own imagination, history and the stories of people who have played a role in his life. Energy and love for the craft and a collective approach to creating something together with others permeate Ron Te Kawa’s work and practice.
Ron Te Kawa has exhibited throughout New Zealand / Aotearoa, including solo exhibitions at the Center of Contemporary Art Toi Moroki and Objectspace, and at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi, Whakatāne. In 2006 Ron Te Kawa was awarded the award for Best Futuristic Design at the 2006 Canterbury Fashion Awards. He has also been nominated for the Benson and Hedges Fashion Award and in 2019 Ron Te Kawa was nominated for Adult Community and Education Aotearoa Māori Educator of the Year .
