Siapo & Crown Lynn: Talanoa and workshop

Siapo & Crown Lynn: Talanoa and workshop

Te Toi Uku are delighted to be hosting Sāmoan artists, Amanda Stowers and Doron Semu for a one-day collaborative talanoa and workshop, bringing together the use of pacific motifs, siapo (Sāmoan barkcloth) making and mono-printing on clay.

Amanda Stowers of Masina Creative creates distinctive ceramics inspired by her Samoan background, and Doron Semu celebrates diasporic siapo making in Aotearoa. Both artists showcase their Samoan culture and bring expert knowledge of pacific patterns and motifs to their work.

During the 1970s Crown Lynn Potteries went to the Pacific to attract people to work in the factory in New Lynn; by 1981 thirty-two percent of Crown Lynn workers were Sāmoan. As a variety of Crown Lynn products from the time reflect Pacific motifs and patterns, this poses questions about the influence of Pacific workers on the ceramic designs.

This is a unique opportunity to share in a talanoa on Pacific motifs, before participating in two workshops – making your own piece of siapo, and creating a clay tile showcasing underglaze mono-printing using siapo. Your tile will be fired for you to pick up later, and kai is provided for lunch.

More about Amanda: 

Amanda Stowers (she/they) is the Sāmoan ceramic artist behind Masina Creative, whose aiga (family) comes from the villages of Talimatau and Saipipi. Amanda is based in Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai (Lower Hutt), where her work is inspired by her Sāmoan background. Amanda’s pieces often feature hand carved motifs, completed in a freehand style as an homage to the Tatau (tattoo) and Siapo (tapa) they’re inspired by. Amanda's kaupapa is to always keep the culture at the forefront of the conversation, and to be the person that she needed when she was younger. Bringing representation and a pacific voice into new spaces, where the culture can be seen, understood and appreciated. Each piece is unique, one of a kind, and handmade with alofa (love).  

You can find Amanda online at www.masinacreative.co.nz and on Instagram at @masinacreative. 

More about Doron: 

Doron Semu (he/they) is a Siapo maker of Sāmoan and palagi descent, hailing from the villages of Salelesi, Falelatai, Falelima and Asau. Based in Māngere, Tāmaki Makaurau, Doron has learned his practice under the guidance of Tufuga, Fa'apito Lesatele of Vailoa, Palauli. Through his work, Doron tells stories of MVPFAFF+ (Mahu, Vaka Sa Lewa Lewa, Palopa, Fa'afafaine, Akava'ine, Fakalaiti and Fakafafine) Rainbow Pasifika Joy, with increased visibility and representation. Doron's practice is centred on creating safe spaces and opportunities for the MVPFAFF+ Rainbow Pasifika community to thrive, and expand the community of diasporic Siapo makers in Aotearoa. 

Host or Publisher New Lynn Community Hub and Te Toi Uku Crown Lynn & Clayworks Museum