Created by
Jesse
Mama Hine by Jesse Harte in Melbourne
Mama Hine
This is a collaborative piece with artist, Pita Pekapo.
I was asked to reflect an image of Mother Mary with connection to Aotearoa and was instantly drawn to use the image of Pita's mother as the centre figure for this piece, and Pita himself, as the pēpi (baby) that she carries as she has played a great motherly figure for myself and Pita (of course) through our lives.
Further we have featured the now extinct, Sacred Huia bird. This is purposely the female species of the bird with the curved beak, this in turn continues to carry on the matriarchal theme of the piece.
We then finished the mural with the Mātāriki star cluster. Showing Mātāriki and her six daughters; we can then remember the gifts they bring to us and papatūānuku each year.
Meet the Artist
Melbourne, AustraliaI’ve been a creator since kindergarten—starting with mud-finger paintings and evolving into expressive drawings throughout primary school. In high school, I pursued art with purpose, striving for excellence and exploring my creative potential. My journey continued through a Diploma of Fine Arts at Massey University in Wellington, where I experimented with a range of artistic mediums.
But it was during a year in Christchurch that my art truly expanded—both in scale and impact. Working on the broken buildings left behind by the earthquakes, I found a new purpose: bringing colour back to a city scarred by destruction. This experience with street art ignited a passion for creating public pieces that transform spaces and uplift communities.
Since then, I’ve taken on commissioned mural work for schools and private spaces, continuing to share my love of art in ways that people can engage with every day. This career isn’t just something I do—it’s a calling. Through colour, nature, and imagination, I aim to brighten the spaces around us and inspire those who pass through them.
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