Where’s home?

'Where’s home?’, a project by Valerie Ong (from heyvalceramics), considers the vibrance of cultural diversity within the local area through making, story-telling and food. Created by Valerie Ong, this project is presented as a two-part series or workshops embodying the qualities of what it means to exchange.

24 Feb: Part one will see participants receive a gift from Valerie in the form of blank pre-made bowls and plates. In return guests are invited to share and develop conversations around where it is they come from and what they define as home. Participants are asked to then paint their resulting ideas from these conversations onto the ceramics, reflecting their cultural richness through exchanging knowledge and story-telling.

2 March: Part two of the workshops will see the plates and bowls glaze fired (thanks to Valerie) making them usable. Participants will return to feast together with each person bringing a plate of food from their home(s) to share amongst the group, then taking their new and beloved plates home to cultivate further exchanges amongst friends, family and even strangers beyond the project.

Limited tickets available here.

*The workshop is free. All we ask is that you bring a plate of food to share with others for part two of the series. By RSVP’ing you are commiting to both workshops. Limited spaces available. Please email us at heyvalceramics@gmail.com to go on a waiting list should spaces become available.

Artist bio

Valerie Ong is a Singaporean born artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Since graduating from Elam School of Fine Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours), Val’s practice explored ideas including the complexities of migration, what it means to preserve a cultural identity in a contemporary multi-cultural society and nostalgia.

In recent years, the artist developed ‘Hey Val Ceramics’ (@heyval_ceramics) a bespoke brand consisting of hand thrown functional pieces, which have been acquired by the likes of Sid at the French Cafe (@sidatthefrenchcafe) and featured at various collectives across the motu. Val has delivered public ceramic workshops, worked as an artist in The Ministry of Education’s Creatives in Schools Programme for Rosehill Intermediate School and is currently a ceramic technician at Studio One Toi Tū.

Arts Out East is supported by Te Tuhi and Howick Local Board