Our search for more locally handmade gems to add to our NZ made gift boxes continues….. after a visit to the Quarry Arts Centre in Whangarei, we discovered, hidden away in her own Northland tropical oasis, ceramics Artist and Potter, Monica Krey.

Under the Sea range of bowls by Monica Krey

Monica originally hails from South Africa and has lived in Whangarei for 20years. Her ‘pottery’ journey started when a friend convinced her to join a pottery course back home and she never looked back.

Pottery and ceramics give Monica much enjoyment and pleasure. She loves creating ceramic bowls, plates and ornaments and is mad about Elephants. We digress, as Monica tells a story about how she was honoured to experience up close, a female elephant and her newborn, at an Elephant house in South Africa. “Their skin is so tough” Monica explains. “ It feels like sandpaper to the touch.” The experience became rather intense however, when the male elephant took exception to the close encounter, panicked and started to herd Monica, Mama and baby away. “ I wasn’t worried” says Monica, “ They like me because Im vegetarian!” Hence elephants are often seen in Monica’s artwork.

Hand painted antique looking plates with Mother and baby elephant by Monica Krey

Monica’s method of making her ceramics is called Coil Building and Slab rolling pottery. Slab Building is the process whereby slabs of clay are rolled or pounded out, either by hand, with a slab roller or rolling pin, and then used to construct objects or vessels. Coil building is when the potter rolls the clay until it forms a coil, or long pliable cylinder. By placing one coil on top of another, different shapes can be formed. Monica uses a low firing clay which is very sticky, like putty, called “earthenware”. It is very intricate work so your thumbs can get very sore after working with the clay hours at a time, Monica explains. It does mean that the end result of all that hard work, is beautiful, original handmade ceramic art!

Glazed platters ready for the final firing

Monica also fires and glazes all her pieces onsite, at her home studio. This year Monica won the National Open Ceramics Award 2020 held at the Quarry Arts Centre in Whangarei. The competition showcases stunning pieces made over the past year from all over New Zealand. Monica is very excited to be chosen as one of two people awarded the opportunity to have won a 2 day workshop with highly esteemed Master Ceramicist, Greg Barron. Greg has won numerous awards throughout New Zealand and is a Master on the wheel and with glaze applications.

You can find Monica’s condiment bowls in our Time Out and Creatively NZ gift boxes. Her “Under the Sea” bowls can be found in our Build a Box range. Monica’s ceramics and artwork are currently being displayed at Quarry Arts Centre and at Reyburn House Art Gallery in Whangarei.

Fire up the Kiln!