Maori ceramicist shows her respect

PATTERN: Ceramicist Stevei Houkamau is one of eight artists included in the exhibition.

By Helen Frances

Maori ceramicist Stevei Houkamau applies pattern to clay (uku) in a way that closely resembles the art of ta moko (tattooing).

Ms Houkamau will share some of her skill and knowledge in a five-hour workshop at the Sarjeant Gallery Saturday, August 12.

She is one of eight artists included in the exhibition Whenua Hou; New Maori Ceramics currently on view at Sarjeant on the Quay, 31 Taupō Quay (above the i-SITE).

Ms Houkamau, who is a member of the Ngā Kaihanga Uku, collective of Māori Clayworkers, is a protégé of Wi Taepa and has been working with clay since 2011.

She did a course in ta moko, but then a workshop with Mr Taepa inspired her to work with clay instead.

"I connected with his work because I like a rougher style rather than working with glazes. Then I looked at how I could incorporate tattooing with clay work. They say the first form of ta moko were the cracks in Papatuanuku, the earth. So she wore the first moko."

Ms Houkamau has developed her own style, which she says is influenced by her background in graphic design.

"I'm really meticulous. I can spend up to 12 or 14 hours on a piece at a time. It's a real grounding thing for me, part of who I am."

She says her work is based on a story and has meaning, which she expresses through the clay and the designs.

"There's always something behind it. And you honour the clay and respect it."

Her work in Whenua Hou represents a conversation between the islands and peoples of Oceania.

During the workshop people will make an ipu - a small vessel about the size of a pudding bowl, which they will learn how to build with their hands, using implements they could find at home. The method is a coil technique on a slab base.

"I use a cross-hatching technique, which means you can build very quickly and very large with the raku clay. You're crossing the fibres of clay over each other, which builds really strong walls, and there's little chance of it exploding or getting holes in the clay. It's a really good basic technique to learn. From that you can explore and make bigger pieces as you learn the technique."

Ms Houkamau will teach some basic design from a Maori perspective for the outside of the ipu, different patterns and motifs such as the triangle, birds and fish, which people will be able to use confidently, knowing what they mean.

"A triangle is completely universal, but if you use it in a certain way it's going to look Maori; put it other ways and it may look Pacific, or Native American," she said.

"As long as you know what it means and where it comes from, then it's ok because you are respecting it ... A lot of the patterns we use come from our environment. They create a story."

She says the workshop will be relaxed and people will be able to work at their own pace.