Stevei Houkāmau (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Rangitāne)

Toi Pōneke Arts Centre is delighted to announce Stevei Houkāmau as the 2021 Toi Pōneke Visual Artist in Residence.

Stevei Houkāmau (Ngāti Porou, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Rangitāne) is a Māori Uku Artist who is based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Stevei’s mahi toi examines the connections and relationships that move across time and space through form and design. Her uku (Māori Ceramic Art) practice is distinctive for its carved surface designs that draw upon Tā Moko and Tātau. Used to amplify the curvature of the vessels, these markings also act as a visual language encoded with knowledge and genealogy. Stevei explores vessel forms as both literal and metaphorical containers and has a unique approach to the incorporation of a variety of Māori artforms including tā moko, whakairo rākau and uku.

The kaupapa for Stevei’s residency project is researching and representing matriarchal lines within her whakapapa. By acknowledging and celebrating these parts of her whakapapa, she will unwrap narratives that will be retold through uku, projection and soundscape.

On hearing of her residency Stevei says: “I am excited and humbled to be awarded the Toi Pōneke Visual Arts Residency, to be able to work surrounded by some of Wellington’s best creatives is going to be amazing. Being a home studio artist, it is a dream to have space and inspiration in abundance. I can’t wait to show what I can do.”

Recent exhibitions include; NUku, Te Uru, 2021; Mihi Kai Nga Ringa Waihana - Uku - Toi gallery, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 2021; He Kākano, Pātaka Art+Museum, 2020; He Kokonga Ngākau, Masterworks Gallery, 2020; DE-celerate (Collaboration with Francisco Huichaqueo - Chile), Te Tuhi, 2020. Stevei was also a participating artist in 2019 at Puhoro ō mua, Puhoro ki tua - 9th International Indigenous Artists Gathering and Exhibition, Waikato Museum. 

Stevei starts her residency in August and will exhibit at Toi Pōneke gallery in January - February 2022.