Our current exhibition has an exciting array of beautiful pots with jewel-like glazes from Maria Brockhill and interesting insect sculptures from Laurel Davis. Pop into the gallery to see this colourful exhibition.
Maria Brockhill
Clay art / pottery / sculpture
Colour and texture are important to my 
clay work. This has led me to an ongoing development of rich and intense coloured glazes, often in jewel-like colours. My work shows the blending, running, and pools of glaze created by the heat work of the pottery kiln, and the interaction of the glaze and textural elements. I mainly use porcelain clay, sourced from Manawatu, as the whiteness of the clay shows off my glazes. My latest work involves adding clay sprigs to give a raised surface, this contributes another element to the glaze response. I’ve had my clay work selected for many exhibitions, here in Taranaki and throughout New Zealand, I’m a member of New Zealand Potters, and New Plymouth Potters.
I am from Waitara in North Taranaki. I live in Bell Block, our home overlooks Bell Block beach and for the last 9 years I have been working from a large studio and shop at the Bell Block shopping centre.
Iwi: Te Atiawa nui tonu, Ngati Ruanui, Ngati Maniapoto, Tauranga Moana Tribes, Ngati Haua
Facebook: Maria Brockhill Clay Art
Email: mbrockhill@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 027 271 4402
Laurel Davis
Edgy, quirky and unexpected – creatures from the hands of Laurel Davis. Some stylized, some whimsical and a little bizarre, some evolving from an idea to become a surprise even to the artist as she assembles them from paua (New Zealand abalone), copper, glass and found objects.
With a soldering iron she metamorphoses a variety of found objects into an amazing variety of progeny; from remarkably life-like insects to strange and often macabre creatures.
She describes her studio as ‘light controlled chaos!’ that is slowly taking over her home.
This quiet and modest artist is a keen observer of nature, leading to ideas for creatures that take on a life of their own. She likes to make people startle, wonder or smile at a piece.