Hae Haea
An exhibition of
clay and print
Friday 2 February – Sunday 25 February 2018
An exhibition of work by Maori clay workers and Maori print artists , proudly supported by Toi Maori Aotearoa and the visual arts committee of TMA - Te Atinga.
Curated by Gabrielle Belz.
Image: (top) Alexis Neal, Whenua Ora Series, multi-layered prints
(bottom) work by Tracy Darren Keith.
Haehae is the name of the parallel lines used in carving, it also means the acts of cutting, slicing, tearing, pulling away, and can make reference to the markings by wind, weather, and some of the geographic forces that shape our region. This process of cutting, tearing etc, is part of several methods employed by the artists in creating these works of clay and print.
Artists will include Wi Taepa, Baye Riddell, Maria Brockhill, Tracy Darren Keith, Stevei Houkamau, Paerau Corneal, Amorangi Hikuroa, Noelle Jakeman, Hera Johns, Dorothy Waetford, Vanessa Edwards, Simon Kaan, Sam Farquhar, Natalie Couch, Alexis Neal, Faith McManus.
Amorangi Hikuroa
Nga Puhi, Ngati Maniapoto
Clay artist
Amorangi Hikuroa is a member of Ngā Kaihanga Uku (Maori Clay Workers group). Through working with clay he feels connected to the ceramic histories of ancient peoples from across the globe.
"I feel privileged to be part of the whakapapa of Uku"
"Establishing Uku as an accepted Maori art form has been a focus of the Muddies [clay workers] of Aotearoa. Our Tupuna left us with the knowledge, narrative and skills to do this. Uku has always been in our stories. We are Clay, the body of the mother"
Natalie Couch
Ngati Tuwharetoa, Raukawa
I am interested in how mahi toi me ona tikanga can impact positively on our social, physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.
Previously I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Elam, 1998 and have worked in various roles from teaching, curating shows & organising arts wananga. My experience in the arts has helped to develop creative conceptual thinking, practical management and facilitation skills.
My art practice explores identity through connection to land, sea and sky largely centered around drawing, painting and printmaking with sculptural works incorporated.
[The artwork, Wairakei] acknowledges Kuiwai and Haungaroa who sent the four baskets of flame from Ruaumoko to warm Ngatoroirangi when he ascended Tongariro maunga and was struck by the cold.
The sisters sent their siblings Te Hoata and Te Pupu who plunged deep within the earth and arose in several places in Aotearoa, including Wairakei. These healing thermal waters have nurtured our people for centuries, and continue to be of great spiritual significance.
This artwork acknowledges their importance and is a mihi to our ancestors who had the abilities to perform such rituals.
Carla Ruka
Nga Puhi / Ngati Whatua
Clay Artist
I am a sculptress.
I breathe in
envelop the earth
form it with my spirit
support it with my love
embrace it with fire
release it.
I find building with clay very therapeutic. I develop my ideas through family ancestry, Maori and European. Motivation comes from an inner passion for creation and an adoration of pulling ceramic from fire.
Kiri Wai (video on left)
Louise Potiki Bryant & Paerau Corneal
Video, clay
NFS
Kiri 2013 is a collaborative performance between dancer, choreographer and video artist, Louise Potiki Bryant, and clay artist, Paerau Corneal. Kiri investigates the collaborative dynamics between artists.
Clay and skin, the sacred and mundane and the whakapapa of clay.
Kiri Wai 2015 investigates clay in water alluding to the studio practice of recycling dry clay
Papanga Whenua 2016 (video on right)
Paerau Corneal
Video, clay
NFS
Kiri Wai is slowed and reconfigured to magnify time and erosion essential elements to forming clay.