A woman sits holding her legs crossed on a large piece of cloth which extends up behind her. It is covered in hand printed or painted illustrations of leaved and plants.
Free
Event

Barkcloth Making from Niue - An ancient practice from the South Pacific

Sat 16 – Sun 17 Aug, 10:00 and 14:00

National Museum of Scotland

Free, booking required.

About Barkcloth Making from Niue - An ancient practice from the South Pacific

Join artist Cora-Allan to learn about hiapo (barkcloth) from the island of Niue in the South Pacific, and hear how her work bridges historic and contemporary art practice.

Then work with Cora-Allan to draw your own hiapo patterns inspired by the museum’s collections and make hiapo using traditional Niuean tools. 

All materials are provided.  

Cora-Allan

Cora-Allan (Māori and Niuean descent) is a visual artist, curator, writer and the lead practitioner of hiapo (barkcloth) from the island of Niue. Pursuing the artform after her Grandparents Fotia and Vakaafi Lafaiki asked her to make their ceremonial burial cloths, she is the only living practitioner of Niuean hiapo (barkcloth) at scale.  

A recipient of the British Council Culture Through Connections grant 2025; she recently visited the Oceania ancestral collections throughout Scotland finding deep connections in the museums that care for Niue taoga (treasures) while engaging with the landscape.

Supported by Creative New Zealand and the British Council Connections Through Culture Grant.   

Accessibility and facilities

We want everyone who comes to our museums to enjoy their time with us and make the most of their visit.  If you have any access requirements, please email us in advance at PublicEvents@nms.ac.uk.  

Museum entrances

There is level access to the museum via the main doors to the Entrance Hall on Chambers Street and the Tower entrance at the corner of Chambers Street and George IV Bridge. 

Lifts

Lifts are available to all floors of the museum. 

Toilets

There are toilets on most levels of the museum, including accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. There is a Changing Places (U) toilet in the Entrance Hall on Level 0. 

Assistance dogs

Guide dogs, hearing dogs and other recognised assistance dogs are admitted.

Find out more about our access information.

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