Course Details

Have you ever looked at Maori carvings and wondered how they begin? How does each segment fit together, and what does it all mean? Find out these and other nuances of Maori carving in a friendly and informal atmosphere.

By concentrating on Maori surface patterns, Brett will guide you from the drawing stage, through to applying these patterns to a relief carving in the form of a wheku (mask), that each student will be working on during the term. With a few tips, Brett will be able to show that with the combination of these two aspects of Maori carving, students will be able to go further to create carved objects such as wakahuia, (treasure box), musical instruments, weaponry and other items associated with traditional Maori life.

This class is suitable for anyone who works with wood as a hobby or trade and would like to add another string to their bow, or anyone with an interest in carving in general. Maori forms and motifs will be used as a starting point to learn various skills that can be applied to any style of carving. People of any gender or ethnic background are more than welcome.

Materials: Suitable timber will be supplied for pattern boards and wheku. Students who are able to machine timber to shape at home, school or work for a specific project may bring this along also.

Tools: There will be an assortment of basic and some specialist chisels available for students to share. Do bring your own if you have them.