Gemeaux Riddell
Artist Statement
Married to Baye Riddell Gemeaux has been an integral part of Kaihanga Uku since its very inception, through all the ups and downs a quiet, gentle supportive presence in the background. Notwithstanding that she is an accomplished potter having graduated from the Otago Polytechnic with a Diploma in Ceramic Design in 1980.
Her father was from Taranaki and later moved to Australia where he married and she was born and raised before moving back to NZ in the 70’s. She met Helen Mason and Baye at the NZ Potters Conference at Palmerston North in 1980 and subsequently moved to Tokomaru Bay and worked with Helen Mason. Gemeaux and Baye married and set up their pottery and gallery at the wharf in Tokomaru Bay in 1983. After moving to Gisborne in 2003 they have just returned to revitalize the pottery. Tihei (exhibition in Tokomaru Bay gallery - Te Waihi) is part of that revitalization.
Gemeaux’s love for te taiao….the natural environment, emanates from her pieces which when handled have a feeling of lightness and peace
