Rohana Weaver, Fine Arts
Fourth-year Fine Arts student Rohana Weaver juggles a life of extremely varied interests.
Making fibreglass animal heads is one. Fire-eating, and vegan baking are others. Now about to graduate with a specialty in sculpture, Rohana is in the midst of figuring out how to translate her love of performance art, musical performance and the physical art-making process into a full-time career.
"I've always made art, and the choice of whether or not to do this degree really came down to the fact that I didn't want to work in hotels or as a waitress for the rest of my life. With this qualification I can always teach, but what I really want to do is work in the film industry making props and costumes. It's something I’ve already done a bit of for my performance troupe."
Rohana joined a circus-performance group through Clubs and Societies when she arrived in Dunedin. Stilt-walking is definitely part of her repertoire, however she describes herself as ‘more of a fire-performer’ and regularly performs with local troupe ‘Highly Flammable.’ It’s a side-line that appears to fit reasonably well with the drama and flair of her latest artistic works which have circus-carnival themes and a touch of glam.
"For my final exhibition (SITE 2010), I’m putting together a series of three animal heads in fibreglass covered in glitter. I began looking at the carnival-esque and the representation of animals from an animal rights (but not necessarily animal activist) perspective. I’ve also explored models of oppression for both animals and women."
Rohana’s animal heads are modelled in clay and then a plaster-cast (waste-mould) is taken. The fibreglass is laid into the waste mould so that it becomes a strong, hard, light hollow shell.
"When it comes out the fibreglass is white-ish, then I bog, sand, bog, sand and prime and paint" explains Rohana. "The colours are painted on individually then I lay the glitter."
"Originally thought I might be a painter but have always been interested in sculpture. I felt this department challenged me artistically and the skill-base is wider. It’s only now, after four years, that I've begun to realise how much I've learned."
