Erich Roebeck

Erich Roebeck, Sāmoan (Aleisa), Māori (Ngati Whatua and Te Uri o Hau), and Palagi/Pākehā (Norwegian and Scottish) is a multidisciplinary artist who works across Sculpture and installation, experimenting with different materials. He is currently interested in fiber art, using materials and processes that keep him close to his parents, who have passed. Erich completed his Bachelor Degree in Visual Arts in 2019 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching in 2020. 

Sweet Threads came about through a conversation with Vaimaila Urale around family, food and a common bond in dishes that include a process of burning sugar. This piece is a continuation of work that centres around using subject matter, materials and processes that help keep a tie to my parents. Watered down caramelised sugar was used to paint images of keke saiga (Dad), blurred by the use of a pineapple smocking stitch (Mum). Memories that are existent and fading at the same time.

This project is not just about food, but about the table: who gathers, who cooks and who is remembered? Each thread pulled through fabric is an attempt to piece together memories, to mend the gaps and honour what remains. A reminder of the repetitive and laborious jobs my parents would do to keep ahead.