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Mahi toi artist Lissy Cole and creative agency RUN are collaborating, as part of Artweek Auckland and the K' Rd Business Association Street Front project.

Last month RUN made the move to a new office on Cross St, Tāmaki Makaurau and thought hosting Lissy Cole’s bold and joyful crochet wheku in their giant street-front window would be a great way to celebrate the new space.

The artists behind the artworks are a husband and wife duo Lissy Cole and Rudi Robinson. Like RUN, they work from a Te Ao Māori lens, incorporating sculptural and architectural forms to create large scale three-dimensional art installations.

RUN Creative Director, Raymond Otene McKay says, “We love their vibrant work, which seems to lift everyone up when they see it, and the strong meaning behind them too. Plus, being Māori-owned our values really align.”

Lissy Cole commented, “We love being able to share our art with many people. What we’ve discovered is that our art transcends many barriers and people from all walks of life can connect to Toī Māori. When RUN reached out to see if we wanted to be part of this collaboration, Rudi and I straight away said yes! We love supporting other Māori creatives and we love what they are doing in their agency.” 

Our art is a way in which we connect to our Tūpuna our present and our future. Our kaupapa is simply joy expressed through crocheted bright bold colours and forms. The colours have real energy and respond well to the vibrancy and legacy of Karangahape Road. We hope our wheku bring joy and uplifts everyone who encounters them!"