Tāmaki Makaurau based artist Serene Hodgman (nee Timoteo) graduated BFA Elam School of Fine Arts, 2014. 

Serene embroiders and weaves silk ribbon on and through the surface of woven plastic mats, creating vibrant work expressing her identity, contemporising, and paying homage to traditional Pacific making practice. 

Heavily inspired by her Samoan heritage and upbringing in Auckland, Serene integrates traditional handmade crafts such as tivaevae (Cook Island embroidery), ‘ie toga (Samoan fine mats) and koloa (Tongan fine mats) into her work. Serene’s vibrant works use various inexpensive materials sourced from local emporiums to transform simple woven mats into a unique, vibrant contemporary artform.