Maia Kreisler
Maia Kreisler — 'He Ua Hōu' (A New Rain), 2025
This work forms part of a major body of sculptural ceramics developed over two years by Māori artist Maia Kreisler.
In He Ua Hōu, the surface becomes a site of cleansing. Silver marks fall like rain—gentle, rhythmic, deliberate. This rain is not a storm but a ritual: a washing away of the past, a preparation of the ground for what is to come.
At the centre, the kōwhaiwhai pattern anchors the composition, its balanced, symmetrical form acting as both a visual spine and a spiritual pou. Rendered in silver on a dark surface, it evokes light through shadow—connection through contrast.
This small, framed ceramic carries the weight of memory and renewal. It speaks softly but with clarity: he ua hōu kei te heke iho — a new rain is falling.
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Maia Kreisler is a cross-disciplinary Māori artist whose practice explores the human condition and our complex relationship with the environment, with a primary focus on value creation through art. Working predominantly with uku (clay), Maia has exhibited both nationally and internationally for over twenty years.
Maia holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) from Massey University, Wellington, and a Diploma in Māori Art and Design, awarded in 2017 after studying under renowned Māori uku master, Wi Taepa. Her artworks are held in esteemed public and private collections, including Peter McLeavey Gallery, the Wallace Arts Trust, Wellington Museum, Puke Ariki Museum, the Wellington City Art Collection, and The Dowse Art Museum. In addition to her artistic practice, Maia has held roles within government and local councils, representing her hapū and iwi.
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Ka Mua, Ka Muri - Walking Backwards into the Future
June 19 – July 26
Ka Mua, Ka Muri — Walking Backwards into the Future — is a powerful Māori concept that acknowledges the past as a guiding force. We move forward with our backs to the future, eyes fixed on what has come before. The works reflect this ideology, drawing strength and insight from memory, tradition, and ancestral wisdom. Black silhouettes evoke timeless human forms, while intricate kowhaiwhai patterns flow across them, symbolising genealogy, continuity, and the ever-present influence of whakapapa.
Read more about the exhibition here:
Material: Ceramic tile, black iron oxide, silver-painted kōwhaiwhai, custom wood frame and non reflective glass - mounter and framed by NEO Frames
Dimensions: 23 x 32cm
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