Objectspace
Witness the first major survey of contemporary Maori ceramics.
In 1986 the national Maori clayworkers association, Nga Kaihanga Uku, was established with the aim of creating ceramic work according to the principles of kaupapa Maori. Nearly three decades on, this exhibition presents the remarkable vitality and diversity of the contemporary Maori ceramics movement, comprising over 60 hand-built works.
Objectspace will be open from 6pm until midnight, offering a programme of Maori spoken word and taonga pouro performers as part of the wider Auckland Art Festival event White Night as a complement to our current exhibition Uku Rere.
The first performance set will begin at 8pm, the second at 10pm. Each set will last around 1 hour.
Amber Esau is the 2014 Going West slam poetry champion. She has published in various literary journals including Landfall, Ora nui, and Ika and is a recent graduate of the BCA at Manukau institute of Technology.
Tru Paraha was guest poet at The Michael King Writers Centre and has performed at numerous live poetry events around Auckland. Her contemporary works have been included in Blackmail Press, Intimate Kisses, HINE-2012, Puna Wai Korero and Poetry New Zealand.
Rewi Spraggon and Riki Bennett have been involved with the revival of Taonga Puoro since Te Maori in 1987 and were apart of Te Haumanu with Dr Hirini Melbourne in 1992.
Uku Rere showcases ceramics by the five principal members of Nga Kaihanga Uku: Baye Riddell, Manos Nathan, Colleen Urlich, Wi Taepa and Paerau Corneal and tells the story of Nga Kaihanga Uku from its beginnings and is the first major survey of contemporary Maori ceramicists.
Watch KIRI to see Uku Rere artist Paerau Corneal bring clay to dance with Louise Potiki-Bryant and Paddy. FREE.