We proudly introduce a stunning body of ceramic works by Amber Smith. Shining a light on the beauty of Te Reo Māori, with the use of Whakataukī, Amber intricately applies her motifs with the method of sgraffito. We had the pleasure of asking talented artist, Amber, about what makes her tick and what her creative process looks like.
You are a multi media artist, creating works on paper and clay. What first led you to your different creative mediums?
As far as mediums go, painting is my first love, but I have always been a maker. I began making pottery because it was a way to support myself and children and be at home with them at the same time. The prints developed from the images I was creating on the pottery. The prints are made first as images in the clay which I photograph and complete using photoshop.
Your focal point alongside the Māori motifs, is to celebrate Te Reo Māori and Whakataukī (Māori proverbs) which adorn your works. It is a beautiful and unique way of honouring the taonga that is Te Reo Māori. How did you first come to weave this into your works?
Since I was young, I have been drawn to Māori art form, especially carving and moko. My first marriage was to a man from a beautiful whānau (Ngāti Wai) and being a part of that whānau had a big effect on me and my awareness of Te Ao Māori. I went on to raise our child away from that whānau and in my own home town, with an awareness of...
You use the sgraffito technique, which is a method of creating images by scratching through a layer of paint or glaze to reveal the layer underneath. How long does this process take to complete?
A long time! The whole process is a long one. I hand build all the forms, I don’t use moulds, I want each piece to develop organically so that no two pieces are the same. This means that each piece I make, the image has to be drawn on to fit the shape of the form; no stamps, no decals, hand painted everything. The etching is a slow process, it’s...
What does a regular day in your studio consist of?
I'm hand building or painting. When I’m making ceramics it’s all consuming. Ceramics are needy, once you begin you can’t walk away. Pieces need to be worked on at the correct stage of dryness or they are ruined. I work from the beautiful Kiln Studio alongside Jamie Smith and Tom Baker. Two talented potters who own Kiln studio and who are running Nelson Clay Week this year.
Do you have a beloved place in Aotearoa that inspires you, either local to you or elsewhere?
I love Nelson; the sea, the mountains, the bush.
Any time I can get into a beech forest I’m extra happy.
Walking with pīwakawaka.
Listening to tuī and korimako.
Riding my bike.
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