Auckland-based artist Louise Rive has won this year's $15,000 Premier Portage Award, New Zealand's top ceramic prize.
The award, presented by international judge Takeshi Yasuda, of Japan, on Thursday night at Te Uru Gallery in Titirangi, was given for her work, The Space Between. Yasuda said the two-figure piece evoked "powerful universal feelings that people anywhere in the world can relate to".
Rive, who graduated from Elam in 1974, works from Edge City Studio, which she established 30 years ago with ceramic artist Chuck Joseph.
Portage Merit Awards, each worth $1500, were also presented to Kate Fitzharris and Madeleine Child, both of Otago, Duncan Shearer, of Paeroa, and Frenck Checketts, of Auckland. A residency at the Peters Valley School of Craft in New Jersey, US, went to Chris Weaver, of Hokitika.
Fifty works by the Portage finalists and winners are on show at Te Uru until February 8.
