CONTEMPORARY JEWELLERY

Matthew McIntyre-Wilson

Wellington-based artist Matthew McIntyre-Wilson (Taranaki, Nga Mahanga and Titahi) trained as a jeweller at both Whitireia Polytechnic and Hawke's Bay Polytechnic. During this period he began learning traditional Maori weaving techniques from master weaver and friend Rangi Kiu. He works across the disciplines of jewellery, craft and object and provides an indigenous response to museological practice.

"My practice of weaving in copper, silver and now gold originated from an interest in the form and pattern of raranga whakairo. Combined with my formal training as a jeweller, I produce finely woven kete (woven baskets), arms bands, cloaks (kakahu) and tatua (belts).
Research based in museum store rooms and library archives provides the opportunity to examine the technical making of Taonga Maori, of particular interest is the creation and variation of complex woven patterns. The variation of pattern in my work is a reflection of a continuing investigation and exploration of the whakapapa of weaving".

From 2021

In his practice Matthew McIntyre-Wilson frequently re-envisages customary Maori taonga (treasures) in contemporary materials and designs, but with Muka Face Mask, 2020 he does the reverse. Now imbued with highly contemporary significance, the surgical facemask here is reframed within the visual language of customary Maori adornment. Responding to the recent global pandemic events of Covid-19, in which personal protection is now essential, the artist applies his weaving knowledge and technical expertise making facemasks out of muka fibre. In doing so, he symbolically invests the mask with the protective qualities traditionally associated with kaitaka and pake (cloaks). Carefully crafted from natural materials and made for longevity, Muka Face Mask is the opposite of the item it references, raising questions about how we perceive and interact with objects in daily life and their relationship to past, present and future.

Muka Face Mask, 2020, muka with tanekaha dye, 220 x 160 x 600mm $4,000
Photograph courtesy of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Photographer Paul Chapman

From 2020

Armband 2020, copper, fine silver, internal diameter 63 mm, pen drawing on paper + MMW catalogue $1,300
Armband 2020, copper, fine silver, internal diameter 58 mm, pen drawing on paper + MMW catalogue $1,200
Photography: Matthew McIntyre-Wilson

From 2019

Brooch 22 and 9ct gold   $3,200
Brooch 22 and 9ct gold   $3,000
Brooch copper, fine silver   $1,650
Brooch copper , fine silver   $1,500

Bangle sterling silver   $380
Armband copper, fine silver   $1,100
Armband copper, fine silver   $1,250
Armband copper, fine silver   $1,250

From 2018

'Kete' pendant, 24ct gold, 50 x 50 x 17mm

From 2017

Armband
Pure silver, copper

'Kete' Pendant
Pure silver, copper

From 2016

Rings - Sterling silver plaited
Rings - 18ct yellow gold
Rings - 18ct white gold

From 2015

(Armbands 1/2 size)
Copper, fine silver

'Whetu' Brooches
Oxidised fine silver & sterling silver

Cuff, oxidised fine silver

From 2014

Ripekatanga armband Copper & fine silver

From 2013

Kuini, New Zealand, British & Cook Islands coins
Translation: You are my servant O Queen, source of our oppression. Such trouble.
Kawana, New Zealand & British coins
Translation: Come forth, bow before us Governor, I am your lord.

Price of Change, New Zealand & Cook Island coins
Price of Change, New Zealand coins

From 2012

"My practice of weaving in copper and silver originated from an interest in the form and pattern of raranga whakairo. Combined with my formal training as a jeweller, my work continually evolves primarily incorporating these two art forms."

Armbands
Materials: copper, fine silver
Diameter 7.5cm, width 6.5cm

"Kete"
Materials: copper & fine silver
Width 5cm, height 5cm

"Whetu Raranga" Brooches
Materials: copper, fine silver & oxidised sterling silver
Diameter 7cm

"Whetu" Brooches
Materials: oxidised fine silver & sterling silver
Diameter 5.5cm

"Poi Kura" Necklaces
Materials: copper, fine silver, sterling silver, handmade silk thread, ten cent coin & karoro feathers (Larus dominicanus)
Length 42cm, diameter of feather poi 6cm