Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with Pip Steel, the visionary collector behind Boro – Timeworn Textiles of Japan.

 Free Boro Presentation & Talk with artist Pip Steel

📍 Morrinsville Gallery
🗓️ Saturday, November 1st
🕧 Arrive early to secure your seat, as we have limited spaces.
🕐 Talk begins promptly at 1:00 PM and runs until 2:00 PM
🎟️ Entry by Koha/donation – limited seating.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon with Pip Steel, the visionary collector behind Boro – Timeworn Textiles of Japan. This exclusive talk offers a rare opportunity to dive deeper into the stories, techniques, and cultural significance of these extraordinary hand-stitched textiles.

Curated to mark Morrinsville Gallery’s 15th anniversary, the Boro exhibition is a tribute to resilience, sustainability, and the creative spirit of rural Japan. Pip will share insights into the sashiko stitching tradition, the history of Boro garments, and the journey of bringing this internationally acclaimed collection to life.

✨ Whether you’re a textile enthusiast, an art lover, or simply curious about Japanese heritage, this event promises inspiration and connection.

📅 Boro Show runs from 24 September to 7 December 2025 – don’t miss your chance to experience it in full.

 🕰️ Morrinsville Gallery Hours

• Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Weekends: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Closed on Mondays

Boro Workshops with Pip Steel

 Boro / Sashiko Workshop One 
– Saturday November 1st,  2.30pm – 5.00pm

 Boro / Sashiko Workshop Two
– Sunday November 2nd,  10.30am – 1pm
 

Cost $55 per head. Pre booking is essential. 

Please email: info@morrinsvillegallery.org.nz and you will be sent payment instructions and information sheet about what to bring. Payment may be made online, to
The Morrinsville Gallery Charitable Trust,
Acct No: 02-0368-0042073-000 
 

Please reference your name and the preferred day, but confirm your place by email first.
Phone: 07 889 7791, or email: info@morrinsvillegallery.org.nz

 A Community Effort

This exhibition is a triumph of community collaboration. Led by Exhibition Manager Liz Borrows and supported by over 28 volunteers who contributed more than 200 hours to the installation, the project was made possible through generous support from the Arts House Trust and the Pride of Place (POP) Fund from the Matamata-Piako District Council. The exhibition is housed in the prestigious Art House Trust space, typically reserved for leading New Zealand artists—making this a rare and meaningful privilege for Morrinsville Gallery and Waikato.

Support the Boro Show

Entry to the exhibition is by koha/donation, and all contributions help sustain the gallery’s programming.  Donations can be made directly to our bank account:
The Morrinsville Art Gallery Charitable Trust
Acct No: 02-0368-0042073-000
(Please use “Boro” as the reference. Receipts available upon request.)

Alternatively, you can support us via our Givealittle donation campaign “Your Gift, Our Future: 15 Years of Morrinsville Gallery”.

In 2025, the Morrinsville Art Gallery Charitable Trust proudly celebrates 15 years as a cornerstone of creativity and connection in the Matamata-Piako District.

None of this would be possible without the generosity of artists, donors, volunteers, and supporters like you. Your contributions have shaped our journey, and we are deeply grateful. As we celebrate this milestone, we warmly invite you to be part of what comes next—the creative future of our region and of Aotearoa New Zealand. Your support will help us continue to grow, inspire, and serve our community through the arts. Thank you in advance for standing with us.

Together, we can ensure that Morrinsville Gallery remains a vibrant and welcoming space for artists, visitors, and future generations.

🔗 Donate now

Engagement

For full details on Boro – Timeworn Textiles of Japan, including workshops and updates, visit morrinsvillegallery.org.nz or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To receive our latest news and event invitations, subscribe to our newsletter by emailing info@morrinsvillegallery.org.nz.

We warmly invite you to experience this extraordinary exhibition and reflect on the enduring beauty of textiles stitched with love, care, and history.

 Picture credits

Artist Pip Steel and  a Boro shikibuton, or futon underquilt

C, 19th century

Made entirely from layered, patched, indigo-dyed cotton scraps, later heavily abraded thought  time and wear.

Shashiko– stitched with cotton, hemp and ramie threads.