Carving Workshop: Talking Sticks with Tui Hobson

Discover the art of contemporary carving in this hands-on, one-day workshop with artist Tui Hobson.

Using traditional carving tools, including mallets and chisels, you'll learn the fundamentals of wood carving while creating your own unique 3D talking stick inspired by your personal stories and experiences.

This workshop is perfect for beginners and can also be adapted for those with some carving experience. The workshop is suitable for ages 18+

Workshop Dates:
Thursday 20 August / 10am–3pm
Saturday 29 August / 10am–3pm

Cost: $40 per person (All tools and materials are provided. Please bring your own safety gloves.)

Tui Hobson

Tāmaki Makaurau artist Tui Hobson’s sculpture career has spanned 3 decades and draws on her Cook Island heritage. Tui works in recycled native woods, stone, cast glass and, most recently, in bronze. Her works range from small-scale pieces to large outdoor sculptures.

Tui has undertaken commissions and residencies in NZ and internationally. Her public outdoor works include carved seats for the Le Quesnoy commemorative gardens in Northern France and most recently a carved pou for the gardens of a Tāmaki Makaurau rehabilitation centre.

Te Ana o Hine

Te Ana o Hine at Te Tuhi is a wāhine-led carving space born to create a safe and supportive environment for wāhine taketake and others who encounter barriers in the carving world. Literally translated as "the cave of Hine", the studio space draws on the mana of all atua hine, offering an āhuru mōwai (sanctuary) for the artists who work within. Te Ana o Hine could also be read as the entrance to the whare tangata, or the house of humanity, recognising wāhine Māori for their ability to create life and nurture future generations.