Artist Statement

Hineukurangi curator and artist since 2000, Carla delights in making sculptural works and has developed her own style of coiling that highlights working from a Māori perspective. 

In 2022 the Ceramic Association of NZ selected Carla as the Touring Potter showcasing her unique techniques in “Coil Aotearoa” funded by Creative NZ, a year long tour of large scale sculpture workshops, artist presentations and community outreach programmes throughout various regions in Aotearoa. She is inspired by Hineukurangi - the Māori clay deity, the natural world and her whakapapa of Māori and European descent. 

Carla is an advocate for indigenous ceramics and has participated in national and international projects fostering ceramic and clay making connections worldwide with other indigenous artists, such as an exchange with the Lapita potters in Fiji 2023 and most recently in New York at the Ganondagan Music and Arts Festival. 

Carla is an active member of her communities including Ngā Kaihanga Uku - Māori Clay Artist Collective member, Papatūnga (Te Tuhi Artist Programme) board member, committee member of O Wairoa Marae, former director and now committee member of Auckland Studio Potters. 

She is also a creative arts business owner of Carla Ruka Limited and Principal Cultural Advisor to Te Tuhi Art Gallery, Pakuranga, Auckland. She takes on multiple and different projects including teaching kapa haka, mentoring, hosting an online ceramic class project “Make a cup” and has collaborated with weaver Beronia Scott to create “Ka Mua, Ka Muri” a large-scale art installation at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland.

Carla is also known for curating. In 2020 she curated the exhibition “NUku" at Te Uru Waitākere Contemporary Gallery, and in 2024 has developed “Hineukurangi" at The Suter Art Gallery Te Aratoi o Whakatū, Nelson.