Totem Woman
My Mum used to take us to the Auckland Museum in the school holidays by way of the train and a long walk or a bus via Queen Street. My favourite area was the pacific section and like most kids then, I liked drumming the Karva bowl. The Gilbert/Kiribati islander in his sisal suit was a favourite too.
Years later, after the Museum was renovated, an exhibition was held in the Pacific section that included Gods and intrepid Warriors who embarked on amazing journeys, exploring while making war and fighting ‘evil’ forces.
It was also said that a single man would have left his wife and many children at home, at times for many years. I stood there amongst all these ‘great things’ done by men and realised that they would not have been able to do any of this without their wife or mother. It was the women who were looking after the village, tending to huts and farms, growing food, making clothes, and raising the family. Most of these families struggling without money, as the men did not send money home, some women and children sadly starving to death.
There was no mention of women in the exhibits. At all!
So I added to the narrative by inventing the Totem Woman, to tell the story of all those women who established their own great adventures. Seemingly in the back-ground.
Or perhaps not.
A Gaggle of Girls
I created these wonderful ladies after spending time with friends during classes. The giggling and chatter of voices reminded me of a gaggle of geese. These characters are so colourful and so much fun to create and look at. Their designer dresses are patterned and glazed using a technique I learnt many years ago and pass on to the students in my classes.
Ollie Owl
This gorgeous fellow is carefully designed to hang on the wall. I have a wide variety of bird sculptures I create and available to purchase in my store or at galleries around Aotearoa.
Warrior Women
Warrior Women were first created while studying pottery in the 1985. They have evolved over time from large and imposing to smaller yet still powerful pieces. They each have distinctively unique imagery due to their colours and design. Created from my interest in watching people, I use clay to express the stiff and rigid way people stand with their shoulders back and neck extended.
Over the years, these Warrior Women have developed to include an element of fabric. Again, this came from watching people, this time, in motion and the movement of their clothing. I use a technique using natural fibres, which I still experiment with, to create these gorgeous ceramic statues.
Fairy Women
Fabulous Fairy Women are each exquisitely beautiful and totally unique. I can create these pieces on commission as well as have a large selection at my store and at art galleries.
You may contact me from my contact page and tell me about the special person that you would like captured in clay. Whether it’s a specific flower they love or a pet they adore, it may even be the colour they always wear! I am sure I can make you that special person to treasure forever. Not limited to women only, I am happy to make boys and men too.
Tui’s
Our native Tui’s are thoughtfully crafted so they can be easily hung on the wall or ‘perched’ outside.
Textured Pots
Stunningly beautiful and perfect for inside or outdoor decor. A range of colours and sizes available from my store or email me for my current catalog of pottery for your home or gallery.
Large Vases and Pots
Each of these pieces are skillfully crafted and have been glazed and fired in differing methods to create their unique markings and colours.
I have a wide variety of pots and vases in a range of sizes and colours to view at my store. Or get in touch, I am happy to email a catalog of my available collection which I update regularly.
Bird Bath’s
These bird baths are designed to be both elegant and functional. The thick textured rim allows a variety of bird types to stand and drink or dive in and bathe from the beautifully coloured bowl.
Woven Bowls and Baskets
