We are thrilled to announce that Ngā Kaihanga Uku (the Māori Clay Artists Collective) and friends will be returning to Kapanga to rekindle their long-standing relationship with Driving Creek.

The rōpū will be at Driving Creek from November 2 - 9, hosting a series of public workshops and talks and opening a major exhibition.

Born out of Ngā Puna Waihanga (the Māori Writers and Artists Society), Ngā Kaihanga Uku (NKU) initially came together between 1987 - 1991. Founding members Baye Riddell, Manos Nathan, Colleen Waata-Urlich, Paerau Corneal, and Wi Taepa are collectively known as Ngā Tokorima.

Without a ceramic (fired clay) tradition in Aotearoa, NKU sought to “awaken and raise a Māori ceramic tradition,” in the words of founding member Baye Riddell.* Inspiration was close at hand: “Māori clay stories are intertwined with our creation narratives.”* The NKU kaupapa is to “work with clay from a Māori perspective, share resources and knowledge and connect with other indigenous clay artists.”*

NKU members come together to learn and share in wānanga. Through these gatherings, Ngā Tokorima have passed their knowledge and skills on to the next generation of uku (clay) artists and NKU members. They have exhibited widely in Aotearoa and internationally to widespread acclaim, and have also formed important connections with indigenous clay artists around the world.

The relationship between NKU and DCR began with a friendship between Barry and Baye. In the late 1970s, Baye joined the infamous pottery “Dos” at DCR - making pots, building kilns and helping on the railway. Baye acknowledges Barry’s influence on his own creative journey:

“His ‘Kiwi’ approach to pottery using local materials and exploring iconic New Zealand themes in his work, such as the freezing works and the New Zealand Railways, was for me an inspiring departure from the Euro-Asian influences I had previously experienced. This approach helped articulate and ratify my emerging Māori clay perspective.”

Baye and the NKU rōpū were regular visitors to DCR over the years. Oloa Ora, an exhibition of Māori and Pasifika art (including pieces by NKU members), was showing in the Driving Creek Gallery in 2016 at the time of Barry’s death. Soon after, NKU returned to hold a wānanga in Barry’s honour. Pieces made by Baye, Carla Ruka, and Mike O’Donnell were installed at “Hoki Mai” station, overlooking the entrance to Barry’s burial site.

When DCR lost Barry, it also lost many of the relationships he had formed. We hope that together we can reignite this precious connection.

NKU members and friends will return to DCR from November 2 - 9 for a wānanga. Alongside their gathering, members will host daily public workshops and talks. These will cover a range of making and decorating techniques - from using shellac resist and water etching to create textured surfaces, to making ipu whenua and ipu puehu (ritual vessels for placenta and ashes). Details and bookings at drivingcreek.nz/ngākaihangauku.

Ahi Kaa, an exhibition of work by NKU members and friends, will open on November 8 in the Driving Creek Gallery. Curator Chantel Matthews is bringing together a group show to “pay tribute to Driving Creek’s ethos, pioneered by Barry Brickell. Inspired by what it means to keep the fires burning as a potter/uku artist, we consider the hard work, determination, and love for the land and art that continue to burn today.”

* Quotes by Baye Riddell from his book Ngā Kaihanga Uku (Te Papa Press, 2023).

Left to right: Boronia Riddell, Blue Corn (San Ildefenso Pueblo potter) and Helen Mason riding the train during a NKU visit to DCR, May 1991. Photographer unknown, Driving Creek Collections
Barry and Baye, with two of Baye’s sculptures, Driving Creek Gallery, 2015. Photo courtesy of Baye Riddell
NKU members and friends at work, DCR, late 1980s. Photographer unknown, Driving Creek Collections Left to right: Manos Nathan, Hirini Maika, Taihaere Maika, Hamuera Maika, Carl Bowman
“Of this Land,” a Baye Riddell sculpture made in honour of Barry Brickell, 2016, in situ at Hoki Mai, DCR. Photo by Jess Lovie
Sculpture by Carla Ruka, NKU member, made in honour of Barry Brickell, 2016, in situ at Hoki Mai, DCR. Photo by Jess Lovie

Workshop and Event Details

Ukupapa with Dorothy Waetford - Sunday November 2nd
Wheel Throwing with Kaeleb Ngatai - Monday November 3rd
Kūmara Ora with Amelia Blundell - Monday November 3rd
Glazes: Inspiration and Discovery with Karuna Douglas - Tuesday November 4th
Making a Carved Ceramic Roller with Fleur Palmer - Wednesday November 5th
Modelling with Todd Douglas - Thursday November 6th
Ipu ki te Whenua with Rhonda Halliday - Friday November 7th
Daily Artist Talks with NKU Members and Friends - November 2nd - 7th
Ahi Kaa Exhibition Opening - Saturday November 8th
Ahi Kaa Curator and Artist Talk - Sunday November 9th

Our times have yet to be set,
So if you want to be kept up to date go here:
http://drivingcreek.nz/ngākaihangauku
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