Storytelling with Uku

Date: Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th July, 10:00am - 3:00pm

Join us for an exciting masterclass with Uku artist Stevei Houkāmau and explore the art of carving your own korero (stories) into Uku (clay).

In this special two-day workshop, you will hand build and shape unique kakano (seed) forms, exploring techniques to mark, carve and embed them with your own whakapapa (ancestory / culture) and stories. Stevei will also demonstrate her own carving techniques, working alongside you as a guide to turn your kakano into a powerful wearable taonga.

Stevei Houkāmau affirms whakapapa as the centre of her uku practice. Stretching through and beyond her personal biography, her work connects with legacies of Māori making, migration from te Moana nui a kiwa, and kinship ties with Atua, exploring the spiritual connection from Atua to tāngata.

What You’ll Learn:

• Knowledge of working with clay from a Maori perspective
• Hand building and shaping techniques
• How to create your own carving tools 
• Gain an understanding of cultural awareness and navigation cultural appropriation
• How to turn your korero into striking visual patterns
• Basic carving and clay skills
• Gifted wisdom of your tutor’s practice and approach to uku
  
  

What You’ll Walk Away With: 

You will walk away having created 1-2 taonga that are carved with their own personal korero (stories). You will either be able to add a cord and wear your taonga or you may choose to design them to sit on a surface or hang on the wall. The choice will reflect your own personal expression.

Why Join This Workshop?

You'll gain hands-on experience in clay shaping and carving, create meaningful, wearable artworks, and deepen your understanding of cultural storytelling through uku. The workshop also fosters confidence in creative expression, awareness around cultural design, and a sense of connection: to self, to others, and to te ao Māori.

Overview of How the Workshop Might Run:

Stevei will work at a pace where you can comfortably follow along, as you infuse your own korero into your creations.

Below is a rough idea of what the workshop days could look like:

Day One

Inspired by your tutor's own whakapapa and how she has woven her heritage into her kakano, you will get hands-on with your own clay (provided), mastering the art of pinch pot making and intricate joining techniques. As you shape your own creations, you'll learn how to bring your story to life in your art. 

You will also learn how to craft your own homemade clay tools, adding a personal touch to your creative process. Armed with these new tools, you'll refine your kakano's visual details. Together, you will also explore how to navigate cultural designs and cultural appropriation. With these insights, new knowledge and following a demonstration, you will sketch out concept drawings, then prepare to dive into the hands-on experience of your own carving, bringing your vision to life.

Day Two

In the second and final session, you will continue to carve your taonga, honing your skills and refining your creations. You'll learn the technique of adding holes to your work, allowing you to transform your pieces into wearable art. The class will conclude with shared clearing of the environment and an opportunity to share your work and the story it tells and to ask any other burning questions.

Meet Your Tutor

Stevei Houkāmau is an uku artist based in the Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Wellington Region. Working primarily with clay since 2011, Stevei's focus on uku stems from its ability to evoke ancestral and spiritual connections to the whenua. Her work explores the relationship between tāngata (people), tipuna (ancestors, whenua (land) reflecting the vital relationship tangata whenua hold with the environment.

Stevei has exhibited and has works in collections both nationally and abroad. She has proudly represented Aotearoa at FESTPAC in Guahan and Various Indigenous Art Gatherings. Notably, Stevei was awarded the Kingii Tuheitia Portraiture Award for 2023 and most recently, exhibited in Europe.

“Many students will walk away remembering the beauty in their own cultural designs.” - Stevei

What to Bring:

• Apron or clothes that can get dirty
• Pencil and paper for sketching patterns
• Designs or references they may like to use when carving 

Optional:

• Clay tools
• Small woodcut, carving tools 
• Objects that make interesting patterns, markings, embossing
  
  

Can Anyone Do This Class?

Yes! This workshop is suitable for all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced artists looking for new techniques.