This year from October 29 – November 11, I have the ENORMOUS pleasure of leading a group of women on retreat to the Gaya Ceramics and Arts Centre in Bali. Under the tutelage of artist and Gaya Director Hillary Kane we’ll embark on a journey of creative daring to create BIG pots and BIG magic.
(This magical women’s retreat is now SOLD OUT. Don’t hesitate to contact me to join the waiting list. Meanwhile, check out the workshop schedule below and follow the links for fees and details.)
Birthing Big Pots: Creating Big Magic, A Women’s Retreat
Workshop Schedule 29 October-11 November, 2017
Engage in a dynamic exploration of creativity, daring, and the art of finding one’s centre in a two-week immersion combining skill-building in clay with a genuine deeper look within.
Sunday 29 October
Welcome Dinner at MOKSA restaurant
A sumptuous meal and a moment to ponder all the reasons we each find ourselves at this table together, a lighting of the candle of inspiration, courage, and dynamism for the two weeks to come!
Our exploration is organised around the five elements as they are known in Bali: Apah (water), Bayu (air), Teja (fire), Pertiwi (earth), Akasa (ether), and is informed by the Balinese tenet Tat Twam Asi or That Thou Art: you are a reflection of me.
These philosophies will guide us in a tactile exploration of the ephemeral, eternal, elemental construct of Self and its tangible metaphor in pot-building. Each day will be guided by a new concept and technique.
Monday 30 October
Bwana Alit – Bwana Agung : Micro to Macro
A temple visit to Pura Campuan.
We’ll explore the Balinese concept of our bodies as the microcosm and the universe as the macro—everything in intimate relation and reflection of the other.
Meditation, Pranayama and journaling.
STUDIO FOCUS: introducing the technical — working small and going large.
Tuesday 31 October
Pertiwi: EARTH — deliberating the medium
Morning yoga, meditation and journaling
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: throwing in pieces and assembling
Wednesday 1 November
Women’s circle—a directed discussion
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: throwing in pieces and assembling (continued)
Thursday 2 November
Bayu: AIR — the space within
Morning pranayama focus and journaling
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: throwing and coiling
Visit Javanese throwers the traditional giant pot builders to see coiling plus paddle and anvil technique.
Friday 3 November
Morning yoga, meditation and journaling
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: throwing and coiling (continued)
An introduction to Somatics (the wisdom of the body)
Saturday 4 November
Apah: WATER — the river journey
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: paddle and anvil
Afternoon visit to one of Bali’s High priestesses for a water blessing, open forum discussion with priestess.
Sunday 5 November
FREE DAY
Monday 6 November
Early morning water temple: bathing, blessing, clarifying
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: beginning form upside down, then throw and coil.
Tuesday 7 November
Teja: FIRE — the creative collaboration
Morning energising yoga and journaling
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: beginning form upside down, then throw and coil (continued)
Evening: Agni Hotra (fire ceremony)
Wednesday 8 November
Morning energising pranayama and journaling
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: handbuilding fast-coiling technique.
Thursday 9 November
Morning meditation — calling in inspiration
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: micro to macro using a maquette to guide creation of large sculptural forms.
Friday 10 November
Akasa: ETHER — the intangible charged and vibrant atmosphere
STUDIO FOCUS: Technique: combining possibilities of approach
Tibetan Bowls — led meditation (Pura Pasar Agung)
Saturday 11 November
River ceremony —“aarti”— the art of Letting Go
Brunch and departure*
For details on workshop fees, inclusions and accommodation details click here.
A non-refundable $500 deposit secures your place in the workshop. Book in the online shop here or contact Claire now 0420986570 or at sales@pinkyandmaurice.com
Early Bird ends 30 July.
*This workshop schedule is a general outline and is subject to change.