Ceramicus Exhibition

This year the Wellington Potters’ Association celebrates its 63rd annual exhibition, Ceramicus 2021; a showcase of new pottery works by members hailing from the city of Wellington up to the Horowhenua/Kapiti Coast and the Wairarapa. It is with the generous support of Creative New Zealand that we are able to present this exhibition to the wider Wellington community.

This exhibition will feature a range of pieces which captures the diverse range of work done by members of the club. You are invited to join us to celebrate the skill and talent of our artistic community. It is a unique chance to witness celebration of creativity’s resilience.

From October 21st to November 6th (daily from 10am to 5pm, free entry), Wellingtonians and visitors to the capital have the opportunity to view and purchase the region’s finest pieces of ceramic art and learn more about its rich artisan scene. This year’s exhibition at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts Gallery is curated by selectors Chris Dunn and Te Arikirangi Mamaku with the assistance of Hinemoana Baker. Chris Dunn will also be exhibiting in the exhibition as the guest artist of 2021.

Chris Dunn is a Wellington-based potter and ceramicist who creates vibrant and innovative pots inspired by New Zealand’s natural environment. Over the past 45 years Chris has developed complex artistic techniques where vessels are decorated with a mosaic of glazes, under-glazes, and lustres fired in an electric kiln. Chris also creates work in pit, barrel and saggar firings. He worked as a full- time potter while living on the West Coast of the South Island in the 1970s – 1990s, and was a student of Hardy Browning, an ex-coal miner who was, in turn, taught by Yvonne Rust and helped by Barry Brickell . Chris has exhibited in galleries and local, regional and national exhibitions in New Zealand, Australia and Japan. He is an elected artist member of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts.

Te Arikirangi Mamaku is of Ngāti Awa, Tūhoe, Ngāti Makino, Ngāpuhi, and Te Arawa descent. He was born and raised in the small township of Te Teko, Bay of Plenty. Te Arikirangi is the Kaitohutohu Kōiwi Tangata (Repatriation Programme Coordinator) at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. He spent three years as a dancer for the Kahurangi Māori Dance Company, touring North America before returning to Wellington where he worked for a period of time with Toi Māori Aotearoa (Māori Arts New Zealand). He has a strong interest in the visual arts, history, tikanga Māori, and foreign languages.

This is the fourth Ceramicus exhibition where Te Arikirangi has sponsored the He Kōrero Waihanga Uku Award with the intention of providing ceramic artists with a special way to engage with Māori themes, stories and figures, and express it through their craft. The award is dedicated to the memory of Benjamin Stephen Mamaku (Te Arawa, Mataatua), a loving father, custodian of traditional knowledge, and an inspirational storyteller.

The Wellington Potters’ Association would like to thank its generous awards sponsors for making this event possible and celebrating the creative talent in our community.

Wellington Museum Premiere Acquisition Award – sponsored by Wellington Museum
Abbots Glaze Award for Excellence in the Use of Glaze – sponsored by Decopot
CCG Award for Excellence in Hand Built Ceramics -Sponsored by CCG
Primo Clay Award for Excellence in Wheel-Thrown Ceramics – sponsored by Decopot
Nelson Pottery Supplies Award for First Time Exhibitor – sponsored by Nelson Pottery Supply

From 21 October 6 November 6th (daily from 10am to 5pm | free entry)