01 – 09 of October 2022
Whakatū (Nelson), Aotearoa
In this workshop run by Carla Ruka, participants will learn how to work with their clay to create their concepts in sculpture.
If possible, participants should bring a basic pottery tool kit (sponge, cutting wire, wooden knife, wooden shark fin rib, steel rib, needle tool and trimming tools).
Bisque firing of finished pieces can be arranged for an additional cost. Details will be available at the workshop.
Tribal Affiliations: Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Whātua
Practising artist since 2000, her series of ceramics works are inspired by Atua, wahine toa and her whakapapa of Māori and European descent.
Carla is now a creative business owner.
A member Ngā Kaihanga Uku - Māori Clay Artist Collective, former director and now committee member of Auckland Studio Potters. Carla has participated in national and international projects fostering connections worldwide with indigenous artists.
In 2020, she curated the exhibition “NUku" at Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery an exhibition of Māori ceramicists.
Taking on multiple and different projects, Ruka has hosted an online ceramic class project “Make a cup” sponsored by Arts out East and Te Tuhi Art Gallery. In 2021, Ruka collaborated with weaver Beronia Scott to create “Ka Mua, Ka Muri” a large scale art installation at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland.
Carla is selected as the 2022 Touring Potter by the Ceramic Association of NZ. The programme “Coil Aotearoa” funded by Creative NZ has Carla teaching her coiling techniques in large scale sculpture workshops, artist presentations and community outreach programmes throughout various regions in Aotearoa.
[Photo credit: Tatiana Harper]