SereneHodgman

Serene Hodgman stands at the forefront of contemporary Pacific art in Aotearoa New Zealand, creating exquisite textile works that weave together traditional craft techniques with modern materials and storytelling. Her distinctive artistic practice explores themes of cultural identity, diaspora experiences, and the rich heritage of Pacific women's craftwork. Through her meticulously handcrafted pieces, Serene draws inspiration from the profound artistic traditions of the Pacific, particularly Samoan 'ie toga, Cook Island tivaevae, and Tongan koloa. Her work represents a beautiful evolution of these ancestral practices, reimagined through a contemporary lens that speaks to the modern Pacific experience in Aotearoa. A graduate of Auckland's prestigious Elam School of Fine Arts, Serene's artistic journey was significantly shaped by an enlightening exchange programme at the University of Hawai'i, Manoa. During this time, an intensive self-portrait project became a catalyst for deep exploration of her cultural identity, leading her to immerse herself in the study of Pacific textile traditions. The influence of her Nana's West Auckland garden weaves through Serene's work, with botanical elements serving as both aesthetic choices and carriers of cultural narrative. Her pieces often feature carefully selected flowers and plants that hold specific cultural significance, creating works that resonate deeply with the contemporary diaspora Pacific Islander experience. Serene's artistic process marries traditional Pacific crafting techniques with contemporary materials, resulting in vibrant, large-scale embroidered works that command attention while maintaining cultural authenticity. Each piece tells a story of heritage, home, and belonging, reflecting the artist's commitment to celebrating and preserving Pacific cultural traditions through modern artistic expression. Her significant contribution to contemporary Pacific art has been recognised through inclusion in several prestigious collections, including the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa and the Auckland Museum. These acquisitions acknowledge both the technical excellence and cultural significance of her work within the broader context of Pacific art in Aotearoa.