Waiheke Island sculptor Kiya Nancarrow creates contemporary sculptures in ceramic and steel. A graduate of the University of Westminster in London with a BA (Hons) in Ceramics, Kiya has exhibited her work extensively across New Zealand and the UK. She is a two-time recipient of the People’s Choice Award at the Portage Ceramic Awards (2015 and 2017), reflecting her connection with audiences and the captivating nature of her work.

Kiya’s artistic journey has evolved dynamically in recent years with the addition of steel to her practice, resulting in a striking series of sculptural compositions. Through industrial processes such as pressing and forming steel, she transforms hard materials into fluid, graceful forms. In works like Here’s Hoping, delicate curves guide the eye through elegantly twisted steel folds, evoking a sense of softness and movement.

Every piece Kiya creates is one-of-a-kind, born purely from her intuition, free from external influences. These unconstrained forms move effortlessly through space, with no clear beginning or end, inviting viewers to experience a sense of openness and ease. Her signature soft curves are central to her ceramic work, where she strives for a continuous flow of energy and movement—a philosophy rooted in Buddhist thought. As Kiya explains, “It is important to me that the viewer’s eye can move uninterrupted—free of corners, straight lines, or distraction.”

Energetic and elegant, Kiya’s sculptures embody a delicate balance, much like a ribbon gracefully falling into place. Texture, form and weaving are words that Kiya uses to describe her artworks, creating pieces that feel both grounded and alive, capturing an eternal sense of motion and harmony.