<i>MOTHERS and Mentors</i> acrylic on canvas by artist Helen McLorinan. PHOTO SUPPLIED
ARTIST Helen McLorinan’s late mother kept a paua shell framed by a woven wreath in her home. And she’s always wondered about the reasons for it. “Everything else was bone china and golden beige,” Helen explained, “I couldn’t get it out of my head for about a week, why mum had this. I did a bit of investigation into who may have given it to her, but all I know is that she treasured it.” The mystery inspired a painting in the Mōkau Museum’s latest exhibition, featuring her works alongside those of fellow artist, Amy Houston. Another piece pays tribute to “dear friend and mentor”, the late Irish artist Cathie Phillips, who lived on Great Barrier Island. “A lot of her paintings featured a kete with a personal belonging from somebody. The kete featured in it was the first she had weaved. I was given that by her family when I did a retrospective exhibition [of her work after her death]. “I knew I always had art in me,” Helen said. She’d loved the subject at school before starting work as a signwriter. That career gave her confidence. “I used to quote on jobs. So I knew the value in that work. Quite often signwriters were considered, especially in that day, the poor man’s graphic designer”. But her work there had enduring power – one of her logos is the famous Hell Pizza devil’s tail design. She also painted tourist art on Great Barrier Island: depicting white sandy beaches and nikau. This left her burnt out, she explained, but it was saleable. Things were different now. “Now I just do what I want,” she said. The stories behind some pieces resonate with art lovers. One lady, viewing a painting called Future Flight Path, cried on learning that the work was inspired by Helen taking her then-six year old to a peaceful forest during the first lockdown, and explaining what was happening in the world. Mothers and Mentors runs at the museum until January 12. Her work can also be found at local venue, Cafe 487.
