The Blumhardt Foundation announces the 2025 recipients of Dame Doreen’s Gift as makers Neke Moa and Ben Pyne, both of whom receive $10,000 from the Foundation.
Neke Moa is a jeweller based in Ōtaki Beach who works with stone, pounamu and locally sourced materials to make contemporary jewellery and objects. After almost 20 years of professional practice Moa is a leading established maker whose practice is distinctive and singular, with trustees describing her work as “brave and bold”. Current works demonstrate the increasing sophistication of her works in terms of concept and production.
Ben Pyne is a designer and ceramicist living and working in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Pyne’s shift from tableware towards experiments with clay in the design of lamps and suspended lights, modular outdoor furniture, and brickwork structures, elicited trustees declaring his work “demonstrates an innovative approach to ceramics that is fresh and exciting”. His practice builds on the rich tradition of working with locally sourced materials in his New Lynn neighbourhood to make works that truly embody a unique sense of place.
Annually Blumhardt Foundation trustees present Gifts to encourage an establishing artist and a mid-career artist whose craft/object practices are outstanding and have garnered the admiration and respect of peers, sector leaders and institutions.
The announcement was made by Foundation Chair Dr Emma Bugden at The Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt, where the exhibition Pōhatu Roa: Stories in Stone is on display, including Neke Moa’s work. Bugden said “Dame Doreen’s Gift celebrates makers who’re making an impact, and Neke Moa and Ben Pyne are both indisputably shaping our culture in different ways. Each of them is consciously creating within a lineage of prior makers but bringing their own distinctive innovation with materials and concepts.”
Neke Moa says "This gift, this kohā, this act of support and generosity is a tohu for me, that I am following the right path. That my mahi is provocative, evolving and uplifting the mana of my tipuna, my atua and my community. Ngā mihinui kia koe Whaea Doreen, ngā mihinui ki te Blumhardt foundation!! This putea is so appreciated and will allow me some time and space to make without the stress of the constant hustle of a full time ringatoi to find putea!"
Ben Pyne says, “It couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I’m getting ready to do a residency at Driving Creek, am about to start building my own studio and desperately need a bigger kiln! I really can’t express enough how gratifying it is to be recognised in this way."
The Blumhardt Foundation was established by notable potter and arts advocate the late Dame Doreen Blumhardt (1914-2009) to advance the craft/object sector.
Blumhardt Foundation Trustees would love to support more outstanding makers from Aotearoa New Zealand. If you share a commitment to craft/object artists and may be able to assist us to offer this high-profile gift to more recipients, please do get in touch.
ARTIST BIOS
Neke Moa is one of Aotearoa’s most highly accomplished adornment artists. She has exhibited throughout the Moana Oceania region and further afield. In 2023, she was awarded a prestigious Herbert Hofmann Prize at Munich Jewellery Week and was a McCahon House artist-in-residence. Works by Moa are held in the collections of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, the Dowse Art Museum, and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Moa is represented by both Masterworks Gallery Auckland and Seasons Aotearoa.
Ben Pyne completed his Bachelor of Visual Arts at Auckland University of Technology in 2012, followed by an Honours degree in Art and Design majoring in Product Design in 2014. In 2023 Pyne completed a major new commission for Objectspace’s Courtyard Plinth titled Mantle Overturn. Recent exhibitions include CONFAB: A compilation of extraordinary objects at Anna Miles Gallery and Testing Ground at Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui. Pyne is a regular contributor of technical articles to Ceramics NZ magazine.