Maria Brockhill
Iwi Affiliations: Te Ātiāwa, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Ruanui, Tauranga Moana Tribes
Maria Brockhill, a distinguished ceramic artist hailing from Waitara in Taranaki and now residing in Bell Block, is renowned for her evocative and diverse ceramic creations. Her work is deeply influenced by Maunga Taranaki and the coastal landscape of North Taranaki, reflecting a profound connection to the land and sea.
Brockhill’s ceramics are celebrated for their sculptural forms, featuring intricate textures, distinctive patterns, and vibrant, self-crafted glazes. Each piece showcases a dynamic interplay of colour and texture, with hues reminiscent of precious gemstones such as emerald, sapphire, topaz, and ruby. Her commitment to colour and glaze technique is evident in the rich, flowing surfaces of her work, where glazes merge and interact to create captivating visual effects.
Her pots are designed to engage the senses, inviting tactile exploration. Brockhill takes pleasure in observing viewers interact with her work, as the textures often carry personal significance, evoking memories of specific places or moments. “I am constantly seeking out new objects to create textures and experimenting with patterns on the clay,” she notes.
Her process seamlessly blends hand-building techniques with wheel throwing, resulting in sculptural pieces that are both intricate and robust. Recent works include designs embellished with leaf sprigs, celebrating Ngahere (the forest) and adding a natural element to her ceramics.
In her pursuit of the perfect glaze, Brockhill predominantly employs custom-made formulations using earth oxides. The resulting intense, jewel-like colours are enhanced by the natural movement and pooling of the glazes during the firing process. “Colour is central to my practice,” she explains, “and I find immense joy in the way glazes flow and interact on the surface, creating depth and dimension in each piece.”
Maria Brockhill’s work stands as a testament to her artistic vision, combining a rich cultural heritage with innovative ceramic techniques to produce uniquely compelling and visually dynamic pieces.
Hikoi ki te Ngahere
Clay and Glaze
In this ipu Maria wanted to convey a sense of the verdant and lush plant life abundant in Aotearoa. POA and commissions taken.
Summer Vase
Clay and glaze
Tiromoana Ipu
Clay and glaze
Maria makes these ipu’s often. Colours and size may vary slightly from this image.