An exhibition by Te Kāhui Waiata Uku
Waiata Uku presents the work of Te Kāhui Waiata Uku, a collective of Māori clay artists united for Matariki. Each piece is a waiata in clay, shaped by hand, carrying memory and weaving stories across generations.
From expert kaihanga uku like Baye Riddell, whose enduring leadership has shaped Māori clay art, to emerging artists bringing fresh voices, the collective creates a chorus rooted in tradition and spoken through today’s voices.
<>Presented during Matariki, a time of reflection and renewal, Waiata Uku is a constellation of clay voices rooted in whenua, lifted by the stars.
Te Kāhui Waiata Uku is a collective of Māori clay artists united for Matariki 2025 through a shared dedication to uku. The group includes established, mid-career, and emerging artists, each adding to the story of Māori ceramics.
At its heart is Baye Riddell, a pioneer of Māori clay art whose teaching, exhibitions, and 2023 publication Ngā Kaihanga Uku have shaped the field. Alongside him, newer artists are grounding their clay work in tradition and insights from their contemporary contexts.
On display in The Pot House Gallery and Studios 15 June to 12 July.