Matariki with Stevei Houkāmau - Ipu & Waka Whenua Workshop
✨ Mānawatia a Matariki 🌌
🌟 Join us for Matariki - Friday 21st July 2023! 🌟
We are thrilled to announce our very first ceramics workshop in celebration of Matariki, featuring our kare/dear friend and esteemed clay artist, Stevei Haukāmau (bio below 📜).
With great pride and pleasure, we welcome Stevei back to our studio, where her inspiring artist talk during Matariki last year left a lasting impression. Her incredible talent was also recently showcased in our window during the Kia Mau festival, adding a captivating touch to the programme.
Now, we are fortunate to have Stevei guide us through this remarkable workshop, where you can learn from a master of the craft and immerse yourself in the exciting and transformative power of clay.
🌌 In preparation for the Matariki festivities, Stevei will guide us through a wānanga, a traditional gathering of learning and sharing, where you will acquire basic coiling and shaping techniques to create your own Ipu Whenua or Waka Whenua.
The Ipu Whenua represents a container that symbolizes the connection between people, their ancestral land, and nature. On the other hand, the Waka Whenua is a vessel that carries the essence of the land and its people, embodying their cultural identity, stories, and aspirations. These vessels serve as powerful tools for releasing negative energy and inviting positive intentions.
With Stevei's expertise and supervision, you will have the chance to explore your creativity and connect with the profound symbolism of clay as you shape your vessel.
The Ipu Whenua or Waka Whenua you create during this workshop holds immense significance. It serves as more than just a beautiful piece of art; it becomes a vessel of release and intention. Take your unfired vessel home, and through its use, release any unwanted raru (troubles) or negative energy, while inviting new energy and intentions to welcome in the new year.
🎨 Personal Touch 🎨
To enhance the personal significance of your creation, we encourage you to bring extra tools or items that hold meaning to you. Shells, textured stones, leaves, or any other objects can be imprinted onto the surface of your vessel, adding a unique texture and personal touch. For seasoned clay artists, feel free to bring along your favourite personal pottery tools. Please note that all necessary tools and equipment will be provided for those who do not have their own.
✨ Unleash Your Creativity ✨
Embrace the spirit of Matariki by incorporating designs from your own culture or drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature. This is your opportunity to infuse your creation with symbols, patterns, or images that hold personal meaning. Each design will tell a unique story and add depth to your Ipu Whenua or Waka Whenua.
📅 Workshop Details 📅
Date: Friday, 21st July, 2023
Time: 5.30 - 8.30
Location: KMC Studios, G02/111 Dixon st, Pōneke/Wellington (down the little laneway next to Siem Reap)
🧑🏽🎨 Note: No previous pottery experience is required. All skill levels are welcome.
✨ Flexible payment plans are available, but classes fill up quickly, so please contact Karla Marie at pottery@karlamarie.nz to make arrangements as soon as possible.
🎟️ Reserve Your Spot Today! 🎟️
Limited spaces are available for this exclusive workshop, so be sure to secure your spot now.
Stevei Houkāmau
Ngāti Porou, Te Whanau-a-Apanui
Stevei Houkāmau is a full-time artist based in Te Whanganui-a-tara, specializing in Uku (Clay). Houkāmau's journey with uku began in 2011 at Toihoukura in Te Tairawhiti. In 2021, Houkāmau made the decision to pursue a career as a full-time artist.
As a full-time artist, Houkāmau has been dedicated to researching and developing the central concept of her practice, "Whakapapa." This concept explores the connections and relationships that transcend time, space, and form. What sets Houkāmau's practice apart is the distinctive carved surface designs, influenced by Tā Moko and Tātau. These designs not only enhance the curvature of the vessels but also serve as a visual language, embodying knowledge, genealogy, and connections to the Māori tradition of crafting, the migration from te Moana nui a Kiwa, and the kinship ties with Atua.
Recently, Stevei Houkāmau was awarded the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture award in 2023. Furthermore, she has an upcoming solo exhibition with Object Space later in the same year.
Reflecting on her practice, Houkāmau shared, "My dream was always to be a tattoo artist. Today, when I contemplate my work, I cherish the fact that I get to Ta moko Papatuanuku every day."
Terms & Conditions:
Flexible payment plans are available, but classes fill up quickly, so please contact Karla Marie to make arrangements as soon as possible.
Tuition is non-refundable and cannot be transferred to other classes once the class has started.
All materials, including clay and tools are included in class costs unless otherwise specified.
Refund Policy
Due to the limited class size we are unable to offer refunds. If you need to cancel your class, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can assist you in finding a replacement. While we will make every effort to accommodate you, however refunds are not guaranteed.
Karla Marie Ceramics Limited reserves the right to cancel classes with insufficient enrolment and in this case, a full refund will be issued.
Karla Marie Ceramics Limited also reserves the right to change the instructor for a class at any time, but we will make every effort to inform students ahead of time.
At Karla Marie Ceramics, we understand that life can be unpredictable, and we will always do our best to help find solutions. We appreciate your understanding and support in keeping our small business running.💓
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