Small Stitches, Family Ties
Mary Fraser & Dave Mouat

10 November - 6 December 2026 | Awatea Gallery

From one side of the world to the other, Small Stitches, Family Ties brings together the work of a mother and son-in-law in a celebration of art, family, and connection. Linked by love, creativity, and the journeys that have carried them across continents, this exhibition reflects the bonds that tie generations and places together.

Dave Mouat, originally from Hamilton, New Zealand, is a mixed media artist and tattooist with a lifelong passion for art. He began tattooing over 25 years ago in Scotland, where he met his wife, and has since built a creative life through both tattooing and painting. Dave is the owner-operator of Famous Dave's Tattoo Studio in Morrinsville, and his work can also be seen around the town including three of Morrinsville's decorated cows.

Mary Fraser is a self-taught needle-painting artist from the Shetland Islands in Scotland whose craft elevates embroidery into the realm of fine art. For more than 40 years, Mary has refined her technique, working with single strands of silk thread on fine cotton. Each piece begins as a hand-drawn design and requires thousands of hours of meticulous stitching. Inspired by the natural world, her art reflects patience, precision, and devotion. Her works are both rare and unforgettable.

Together, Mary and Dave present a unique exhibition shaped by heritage, distance, belonging, love, and artistic expression -a meeting of family, place, and creative practice from Shetland to New Zealand.