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Barbara is our own Mangawhai treasure !
Her reputation as a distinctive and quality potter precedes her, as does the Smashed Pipi Gallery which is managed by Barbara and also features work by Arran, Angella and Melissa Hockenhull.
The Gallery, open since 2000, has become a Mangawhai landmark. Everything about the gallery is unique with its Malcolm Halley designed building incorporating special and surprising features such as the Pauline Mann slumped glass windows, wonderful angles, plaster and rustic wood. With this attention to detail it is a work of art in itself and a wonderful setting to showcase the work of NZ artists.
Barbara has been inspired by nature, emphasis being on form, glaze effects and interesting textures.
Her love of plants and natural materials was influenced as a little girl by her bricklayer father and her mother, who was a keen gardener. This is portrayed in her pottery and also in her other passion which is ikebana; Japanese flower arranging.
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It was 13 years of weekly night classes at Rangitoto College before Barbara started selling work. All her friends had been given enough pots as gifts by then and she needed money to buy clay and to get a kiln for herself. Her first venture into wholesaling was met with rejection though.
With determination to sell her own work from that point on, Barbara never looked back. She joined a co-op in Browns Bay called The Hive, which “sold all the hippy things” Barbara says, “pottery, handmade leather bags and incense.” Maurie Quinn who many know for his wonderful sculpture was also a member of this co-op.
A move to Redvale made Kura Crafts her focus and then in 1968 she became one of the founding members of the Albany Village Pottery Co-op. Late husband, Barry, had been a builder but he began classes in woodturning and pottery and it wasn’t long before he joined Barbara in the Co-op in 1973.
It was pioneering work then with diesel-fired kilns, salt glazing and stoneware. The Albany Village Co-op continued for 30 years and was one of the best in NZ.
Barbara has a unique style. As potters wheel teacher, Yvonne Rust, said, “Barbara, why would you want to learn to use the potters wheel when you can work by hand which is different!”
Her work has a lovely textured finish which comes from rolling the clay onto textiles, crushed dry clay or any object that gives interesting impressions.
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One day driving back from the annual family holiday at Matapouri, Barbara and Barry detoured through Mangawhai and fell in love with the place. So much so that they sold their beloved Rover to buy a section.
In the late 70’s they moved from Redvale to Wayby to be closer to the bach in Mangawhai. Never people to sit still, they opened the Palms Gallery at Wayby, so it was another busy 18 years before they finally moved to Mangawhai.
Barbara and Barry shared many trips overseas with seven trips being pottery tours in Japan and the occasional ikebana convention. Barbara can name and owns pieces of pottery from every region in Japan.
The Japanese have inspired and influenced her work. There is also always a Sogetsu School of Ikebana arrangement to be seen in the gallery.
Barbara has made her mark in NZ with her pottery. She has done it with hard work and dedication to her craft. She has exhibited many times in group and solo shows. Last October she was Guest Exhibitor and Selector for the Auckland Studio Potters and her work is in the permanent collection at the Auckland Memorial Museum !!!
Barbara is still too busy, happy and enthusiastic to think of retiring. She never tires of creating things and trying something new.
We are so lucky to have the talented Barbara and the Smashed Pipi Gallery on our doorstep. She gives us another reason to be proud of Mangawhai
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