Mosaics and functional art workshops
Em Hofstede. Photo: Ina Holst.
If it is true that the mosaic art form can transform a project from ordinary to extraordinary, then Em Hofstede’s functional art objects deserve a big nod.
Her white mirror with rose décor invites a visual trip into romantic Victorian times, and her opulent “Drama Queen” jug, a faux Louis XV, is fit for a plush salon.
Em discovered the creative world of mosaics by chance after randomly purchasing a basket of small tiles at a second-hand shop one day. Now constantly on the lookout for materials to crack and glue, Em shops for spectacular antique, gold-rimmed porcelain dishes and ceramics, mirrors, frames, pearls and marbles, spotting unlimited opportunity amongst what other people regard, and discard, as clutter.
“I shop everywhere when I go on trips, in recycle centres and thrift shops. Mosaic art is about seeing a different use for something and I love looking for this when shopping for pieces, thinking outside the square,” says Em, admitting she could be a tricky person to entertain.
“I look at people’s china and think ‘it would look so much nicer broken’, and people who know me only want me to eat out of plastic when I come to their house. My mum would never let me eat off her good china.
“I always loved stained glass but it is difficult to learn and not many people teach it, especially in rural areas, and you really need a lot of specialist tools. But I love colours and the first mosaic piece I made was a dining-room table top with a Celtic design. I draw and paint too, but mosaic art is more forgiving than painting and there is this mental thing involved. When I’m in front of an empty canvas, I never approach it without being a bit nervous. I don’t have this with mosaics, it’s a bit more playful, I guess.”
With an MSc in ecology from Western Ontario, Em worked as a biologist for 15 years, then as a teacher and outdoor educator and, after a short stint teaching English in Japan, came to New Zealand in 2003. She also has an MA in creative writing and is a graduate of the prestigious Bill Manhire writing course.
Falling back on her teaching experience, she recently started to teach mosaic-making, showing beginners how to create two-dimensional pieces, and more experienced mosaicists three-dimensional works.
“For the weekly course you will probably need two Wednesdays to complete a piece. The weekend course is contained into 14 hours and you will learn everything you need to know to do a two or three-dimensional piece. All materials are supplied, but you can bring any treasures along, like granny’s special plate, to crack. I also collect old broken china that people don’t want anymore or they can drop it off in town.”
The Wednesday class is $45 for two classes from 5.30 to 8.30pm, held over the winter. The weekend courses are $90 and scheduled for the first weekend of May and thereafter every last weekend until August. Em also creates commissioned pieces from her workshop in the Pupu Valley. For enquiries call 525 7519 or 021 0239 2422.
Ina Holst
