Jacinda Star Bag

Vita Cochran, a New Zealand textile artist based in Sydney, made this concertina star bag during the Covid-19 pandemic as a gift Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand's Prime Minister, 'because I felt so grateful to Jacinda for her stella leadership. It was a way of channelling my gratitude and appreciation'. As New Zealanders living in Sydney, Vita and her family drew strength from the New Zealand Government's approach to the pandemic and their messaging, which they considered clearer and more generous in spirit than that of Australia's Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.

She lined the bag with 'Labour-red linen' and loosely based the bold embroidered stripes on the ‘let’s keep moving’ chevron' from Labour's election campaign. When the Prime Minister announced that decision to recognise Matariki with a public holiday, Vita was thrilled that her choice of the 'star shaped base had new relevance!'

After completing the bag, Vita discovered that the Prime Minister was unable to accept such gifts. Although disappointed, Vita commented 'Jacinda’s integrity is one of the main reasons I like her so much, so it is fitting that part of the bag’s story is that I can’t give it to her!' As such she has offered it to Te Papa.

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