Jenni Taris – Clay Artist

Born Auckland, 1952, she moved to Hamilton to raise her family. Now resides in beautiful Matangi, Waikato to follow her passion for pottery.

I am a clay artist who has created for over 40 years.

I completed the Ceramics Diploma at Waikato Polytech in 1987 and have gathered extensive knowledge from other potters over the years. I now have my own studio and shop which I work in everyday.

My work has been in several national exhibitions and art galleries around Aotearoa, including Whakaaturanga Gallery (Morrinsville), Paeroa Society of Art (Paeroa) and Welcome Swallow Fine Art Gallery and Gifts (Hamilton). 

When I was a member of the Waikato Society of Potters, I delighted in supporting the annual awards and taught pottery at WSP for twelve years.

For me clay is the vehicle to take my inner emotions on a journey into infinite creativity. Using illusions of form, showing physical strength and the inner emotion to give answers to questions. This journey includes and extends my family life by sharing this harmony and embedding it into the sculptural form without losing the texture and soul of the clay.

​I enjoy passing on my expertise to others which has developed into mentoring enthusiasts and holding workshops from my studio in Matangi.