Karl Leonard

Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard (b 1964) is a carver and weaver of Te Arawa, Ngāti Awa and Ngati Raukawa descent. He was the first man elected to the committee of the national Māori weaver's collective, Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa.
He learned weaving from his mother and grandmother. His grandmother was the noted weaver Ranginui Parewahawaha, who critiqued his 1st kete (basket) at the age of 112. He attributes his time as a weaver and guide at the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua as fundamental to his practice. He acknowledges Bubbles Mihinui, Mini Hohepa, Kura Raponui, Homai Balzer, Denny Anaru, Katiroa Tuhakaraina and Emily Schuster as major influences and teachers of fiber arts during his time there. Leonard, a teacher himself has lectured at Te Wananga o Raukawa between 2001–2010.
In 2012 Leonard was selected for a six-week bicultural exchange through Creative New Zealand, the Toi Sgwigwialtxw Residency.
Leonard pays close attention to detail and process, 'Everything is done by hand, from extraction to spinning to dying to weaving designs'. Nigel Borell writes that his works 'are complemented with natural dyes and dying techniques, giving the garments a dignity that is not complicated or contrived'.
His works are held at The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the Musical Instrument Museum (Phoenix) Arizona.