Ata

Ata. Tree type used for making Hiapo. These are three samples that portray the different stages of Ata for producing Hiapo (decorated Niuean bark cloth). The first sample portrays the raw form of Ata. It shows part of a branch with a fibrous outer layer but then a soft, foam-like core for the internal material. It is off-white in colour with some brown definition throughout. The second sample is referred to as kili ata. This sample shows the process mid way to producing kili (undecorated Hiapo). It is uneven, almost beaten piece of fibrous material that is soft in texture. Its edges are undefined and it is thin in depth. Its surface texture shows a repeated embossment that could define the style of beater used to process this material. It is off-white in colour with some dark brown definitions of porous areas across the surface texture. The final and third sample is that of kili (undecorated Hiapo). It portrays the almost finished product for producing Hiapo. It is a sample of the cloth used to decorate to create Hiapo. It has been folded over time, is off-white in colour and upon close inspection shows the fibrous woven structure that is a unique result of tutu e hiapo (the act of making hiapo).