Off The Top of My Head
By Paul Murray
On the evening of June 1, 2024, the Karamea Pulse Energy Centre came alive with creative ferment, glamour and style. The second KaraWearable Arts Show by the Karamea Pop-Up Gallery team attracted a full house of well-dressed fashionistas who came to see art worn by people.
After the success of the 2023 show, the organising committee significantly raised the bar and worked hard to transcend their previous heights and put on an event that wowed, inspired and impressed.
The show was a wild ride that took us from the court of King Louis XVI, to the Crusades, the movie sets of Lord of the Rings and Avatar, under the sea, into the garden and the jungle and soaring high into the sky. The costumes were diverse, inspiring and incredible. KaraWearable entrants used natural materials, found objects, recycled materials, trash and considerable creativity and ingenuity to fashion their amazing costumes.
The panel of three judges had the challenging task of deciding which outfits to award prizes to, but everyone involved was a winner on the night. KaraWearabe was a creative triumph, attracting an audience of 292 people from Karamea and Little Wanganui and from as far away as Wanaka, Christchurch. Blenheim, Nelson and Wellington.
Red Carpert Paparrazzi Photos by Shea Chalmers-Mawson and Dan Murton.
The audience was encouraged to dress to impress and arrived Hollywood style via a red carpet, complete with paparazzi (Dan Murton and Shea Chalmers-Mawson). Some attendees rivalled the stage performers in style and grace and gave the event a touch of class. A busload of voguishly dressed folk from The Lyric Theatre in Granity made the effort to come to Karamea and gave the event a touch of old-school class (Thank you Carlos & Co.). The cash bar provided social lubricant, and the hall soon buzzed with conversation, laughter, and camaraderie….The atmosphere in the hall was positively charged before the show even began.
The 2024 show featured 39 outfits made by schoolchildren, retirees, nurses, farmers, merchants, and teachers, all artists on the night. Warrior princesses were popular this year, with the Karamea ladies releasing their inner barbarians. Insects and animals, including a butterfly, a ladybird, a chicken, a prancing mythical Kelpie seahorse stallion, and even an adorable little jellyfish, were also featured.
This year’s show opened with a performance of acrobatic choreography by event Director Sacha Healey and Lydia Barbour to a captivating narrative that spoke to the creative process, wove together themes of “Myths and Legends,” “Made from Nature,” and “Upcycled/Recycled,” and brought the magic of theatre to the catwalk. Awards in categories including Overall Supreme, Craftsmanship, Youth, People’s Choice, and Spot Prizes recognised the participant’s outstanding contributions to wearable artistry.
The Craftsmanship Award went to Cathy Sampson and her sister Caroline Langford, who collaborated on a spectacular butterfly titled “Papillon Imperfecticans.” Made from felted wool, recycled natural-fibre scarves, and hand-tanned calf hide. It was professionally modelled by Keira Hansen-Higgs. The outfit also won the People’s Choice award, voted by the audience as the show’s most impressive design.
“Papillon Imperfecticans” by sisters Cathy Sampson and Caroline Langford and modelled by Keira Hansen-Higgs. Winner of the People’s Choice and Craftsmanship awards. Photo by Paul Murray
Artist’s Blurb: Title: “Papillon Imperfecticans” Story: From the edge of the Kahurangi, the mythical Papillon imperfections emerges. With her body of fur and wings of silk and wool, she unfurls to reveal all her perfectly imperfect glory! Materials: Wings -Nuno felted wool and recycled natural fibre scarves (Cathy). Body -Hand tanned calf skins (Caroline), metalware (Bevan). Head piece – Felted wool, woven reclaimed copper (Cathy).
Abylene Chalmers took home the top gong with her baroque Rococo ballgown “Rock Me, Amadeus,” made from 100% recycled materials and was awarded the event’s Supreme Prize. She modelled the overtly flamboyant vestment herself and looked like Marie Antoinette.
Artist’s Blurb: Title : “ROCK ME AMADEUS” Inspired by the lavish excessiveness that was the Rococo era, “Rock Me Amadeus” was made entirely from scratch with no bought items, except for rivets, glue and paint. The costume contains metal bracing, fencing wire, water pipe, a sleeping bag, toilet rolls, cardboard, old curtains, tissue paper, milk bottles and a defunct mosquito net. Who said rubbish can’t be glam and fit for the king’s court?”
The Youth Prize went to “Chicken Big,” a creative collaboration between school friends Sebastian Klaver-Jones, Odin O’Dwyer, Shea Chalmers-Mawson and Alfie Murton. It was modelled by Elias Walker, who really brought the chook to life.
Artist’s Blurb: Title : “Chicken Big” The head is made out of cards, newspaper, eggs for the eyes and a glove for the chicken’s crown. The beak is made from recycled cardboard . The body is made from spare canvas that the school provided, with cut up milk bottles shaped in feathers that were glued on.
After the show, the costumes were placed on mannequins and exhibited the next day, along with information about the designers and their creative inspiration, to allow people to inspect the artistry, craftsmanship, and detail in the outfits. This proved popular and will surely inspire others to enter their own creations in future events.
The event showcased the creative talents of the Karamea community, brought people together for a superb social occasion that unified the community, encouraged the region’s youth to express themselves artistically and attracted visitors to enjoy the show, the facilities, food and beverages, activities and scenic locations that inspired the creative designers and make Karamea so special.
The show’s success was not just a result of the organising committee’s hard work but also a testament to the strong community spirit of Karamea. The community rallied behind the cause, offering logistical support, skill sets, and muscle. They also generously provided a raft of prizes to award the best designers.
Prize Winners List:
In order of prize category, entrant, costume title, prize sponsor:
Supreme: Aby Chalmers with “Rock Me Amadeus” – SM Lowe Contracting Ltd
Craftsmanship: Cathy Sampson & Caroline Langford with “Papillon Imperfecticans” – North Beach Construction
Youth: Sebbie Jones, Alfie Murton, Shea Chalmers-Mawson & Odin O’Dwyer with “Chicken Big” – Kongahu Homekill
People’s Choice: Cathy Sampson & Caroline Langford with “Papillon Imperfecticans” – Karamea Real Estate/Property Brokers
Supreme Runner Up: Mary Bell with “Decoy Convoy” – The Scullery Waimangaroa + Dianne Anderson
Craftsmanship Runner Up: Margaret Mackley with “Kōtare: The King(fisher)” – Karaea Hardware + Dianne Anderson
Youth Runner Up: Tilly Macmillan with “Recycle Fairy” – The Dutch Oven + Karamea Four Square
Spot Prizes:
Best Use of Nature: Donna Chambers & Cheryl Mawson with “Tellus Mater: Earth Garden Goddess” – Tahi Skincare
Overall Effort: Slava Bobrovska with “Hippie Jeans Dress” “The White Fairy,” “Peacock Princess,” “Boho Dress” – Nature Ahead
Unique Idea: Liz Kerslake with “Crochet Brolli” – Karamea Hardware
Unbridled Creativity: Sacha Healey with “Karamea Kelpie” – Karamea Four Square
Family Effort: The Young Family with “Coffee Bug” “Jellyfish Monster” “Raven’s Cloak” “From the Ashes” – The Pantry Refill
Great Recycling and Modeling: Bronwyn Anderson with “Sea Cape” “Tiffany 2.0″ – The Pantry Refill
Thanks to the KaraWearable team of Jessie Creedmore, Cathy Sampson, Sacha Healey, Sanae Murray, Aby Chalmers, Ange Cronin and Liz Kerslake, DJ Brett Mawson, lighting Kathy Ramsay, sound engineering Aaron Cross, MC Nick Scarlett, bar Hamish MacBeth, Dion Mawson and Steve Schultz, catering Vinnie Dunford, red carpet Steve Bowden and Hamish MacBeth, Tracey McEwing for videoing the event, the crew who helped set up and remove the stage, chairs, carpets, set and incredible decor, the judging panel, Raramai Adcock, River Chalmers-Mawson and Maria Gutenbrunner, and all the models and costume designers and everyone who came to see the show and made it such a great success. Thanks also to all the sponsors who rewarded the incredible efforts of the entrants and recognised their creativity, imagination and design skills.
The 2024 KaraWearable Arts Show was a resounding success, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating the next event. The organisers are already planning for the 2025 event, which promises to be even more spectacular. The buzz among the audience was palpable, with many vowing to enter the show next year. So, be sure to join us in Sunny Karamea for another unforgettable wearable art extravaganza next year.
Thank you – from KaraWearable
This isn’t an exhaustive list! The list is arm length and we’d risk missing someone out. Rest assured we know who you all are and we sincerely appreciate your help.
Our Creators – The biggest hand goes to YOU. You put so much time, effort and panache into your work. Closely followed by our brave and sassy models.
Incredibly Supportive Audience from here and far away.
Continuing in no real order of importance as KaraWearable wouldn’t have happened without any of these integral ‘parts’:
Our Team of Volunteers which is too huge to list – from the very hands-on organising team and helpers, judges, sound and lighting crew, photo booth builders and photographers, amazing voluntary bar crew, venue dressing helpers, flower providers, set builders, videographer, and ALL the spouses and partners who pick up the slack on household and family duties while our lives are engulfed.
Major prize sponsors:
SM Lowe Contracting Ltd – Supreme award prize sponsor
Karamea Real Estate/Property Brokers – People’s Choice prize sponsor
North Beach Construction Ltd – Craftsmanship prize sponsor and set build assistance
Kongahu Homekill -Youth prize sponsor
Sponsors of Spot Prizes: Vinnie’s Cafe, The Scullery (Waimangaroa), Tahi Skincare, Karamea Hardware, Karamea Four Square, Dutch Oven Bakery, The Pantry Refill, Dianne Anderson, Nature Ahead
MC Nick Scarlett
Karamea Area School – Staff, and the Karamea Pulse Energy Centre
Karamea Information Centre – Ticketing
Westreef – Poster sponsor
Paul Murray– Photography & press releases
Karamea Four Square – Drink returns facility
Vinnie’s Cafe – Catering
Hamish Macbeth and Steve Bowden – Red carpet
Clean Streams Karamea – Tree supply for venue
Buller District Council Creative Communities – Seed funding
KaraWearable 2024 Photos by Jade McLeod
Craftsmanship Runner Up: Margaret Mackley with “Kōtare: The King(fisher)” – Karaea Hardware + Dianne Anderson’s Little Wanganui Cheese
This work is inspired by the kingfisher that regularly sits on the line above our pear tree, scaring the flocks of wax eyes that raid the tree. It is constructed from furnishing samples otherwise destined
for the tip, appliqued to an old sheet.
Both costumes are made from recycled materials. This artwork is a political protest about duck shooting and women’s rights. Themes of winged women in indigenous stories and current political global issues are the inspiration for this creation.
The Young Family Youth Entry: “Jellyfish Monster.” A monster made from recycling. Modelled by Tessa
Zoe & Bridie Young Youth Entry: “Coffee Bug.” A monster made from recycled materials. Modeled by Zoe
Madeleine & Bridie Young Youth Entry: “Raven’s Cloak.” Raven has wings and is as black as the night. All of his black feathers are made from upcycled black clothes. We can thank Raven for unleashing light on the world. Modelled by Madeleine.
Harriet & Bridie Young Youth Entry: “From the Ashes.” My outfit is inspired by the Phoenix,
mythical bird of flame and light. My dress is made from recycled fabric and dyes. The Phoenix is beautiful and fierce and symbolizes rebirth after destruction. Modelled by Harriet
Title : TUTTI FRUTTI
This fun ensemble was constructed from bubble wrap, cardboard
and oil pastels. Inspired by the days of milk bars, pop culture and
summer frivolity, it is a nod to the feel good times of California in the
50’s and 60’s when life was easy, summer was always long, and
skirts were getting shorter. Photo by Jade McLeod
The Rongolian Star 