The sculpture of "he pēpi" (a baby) created from clay after the birth of my eighth mokopuna (grandchild). It caused quite a stir when entered into an exhibition of local artisans and was sold before the opening to another potter who fell in love with it and now creates her own clay "babies". Māori have a saying "Ko te mauri te ora o ngā mea katoa...e toru ngā āhuatanga o te mauri...ko te mauri ora...ko te mauri tuku...ko te mauri whakahaere - meaning all things have a life force - and can even apply to some innate objects like my pēpi which I believe passes through my hands while working with the clay taken from Papatūānuku. (R) is a mother owl and her pēpi, coated with coloured glaze and Māori designs imprinted into the clay.
