Matariki is “normal” to award-winning artist Chevron Hassett (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu, Irish). Still, teaming up with Resene to bring the spirit of the Māori new year to life in a painting for charity was a step outside the 29-year-old’s comfort zone.
In fact, the piece - titled Hiwa - is his first time creating a traditional painting. But, he says from his Auckland-based studio at Pakuranga’s Te Tuhi, the idea of pushing boundaries and setting new goals is largely what Matariki is all about.
Hassett is well-known for public installations, sculpture and lens-based media, that often explore themes of cultural identity and indigeneity. He’s worked with communities in mural creation and was awarded the CNZ Ngā Manu Pīrere Prize in 2017. In 2022, he was an Arts Foundation Springboard recipient, landing him a mentorship from Laureate Brett Graham.
His public work has graced Hutt Hospital, Waiheke and a solo show at Auckland’s Artspace amongst others.
To create Hiwa, Resene granted Hassett $5000 and his choice of paint to create a Matariki-inspired piece of art. The final piece is being auctioned on TradeMe (click here to bid), with all proceeds going to two charities.
Ngā Rangatahi Toa is a New Zealand not-for-profit that uses wellbeing and creative programmes to reconnect students with their potential and engage them with higher education and employment opportunities, and Waipoua Forest Trust is an environmental organisation focused on protecting and restoring one of Aotearoa’s largest Kauri ecosystems by regenerating previously cleared land and controlling pest species.
Hiwa, says Hassett, is a graphic piece that is “compositionally, really bold and simple”.
The two prominent spirals represent new beginnings and challenges. They’re a symbol that Hassett has connected with through his art in the past few years.
To him, Matariki is a time to reflect on memories and family moments, so there’s a “sentimental space” to the holiday. But it’s also a time to reflect on what’s to come.
“Thinking about setting myself new goals - or realigning my life in general - to prepare for what's happening in the next stage. It's a nice way to think about resetting and preparing.”
As for who he hopes will buy it, Hassett pauses a moment. “I haven’t considered that,” he says.
Ultimately he hopes the piece will wind up somewhere the work, and the meaning behind it, can be celebrated. Or, as he says, “allowed to live”.
For Hassett, there’s personal meaning behind the creation of Hiwa. It’s the name of the Matariki star he chose to focus on, and also the name of his niece. When creating the work he drew on memories and concepts of new beginnings, challenges and aspirations.
And as much as personal meaning has gone into the creation, he’s aware that when his work goes into the public, “it becomes its own thing”.
It was the charity aspect and the stepping out of the comfort zone that made Hassett want to work on the project that was initially quite “intimidating”.
Those murals he’s worked on in the past were more about connecting with youth and “working with people around my community to make art”. In the studio, and alone, however, “it's a learning process”, which is fitting.
That idea of new challenges, goals and beginnings is largely where the inspiration for Hiwa came from. That, and being involved in a unique way to bring Matariki to the wider community.
“To me, Matariki is normal, so I forget that it's not normal for many people… I think it's nice to see different people engaging in it,” he says.
With Hiwa, Hassett is adding his contribution to the mix, and the idea of working with Resene, while raising funds for charity, made the project something “special”.
Although he’s trying not to put too many hopes into how the new owner will interpret the work. “I’ve just got to let it happen,” he says.
