August 25th, 2026
On this episode of the Selection Committee Radio Show I am joined by the fabulous artist Reuben Paterson (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Scottish). Born and raised in New Zealand, he now lives and works in New York City, to the great delight of those who know him here.
For our enjoyment, Paterson brings us an all-Kiwi playlist that begins with the call of the kiwi bird itself. We discuss his Māori heritage in detail—from the story of how people originally arrived in New Zealand to development of his own family tree to the explosion of Māori history and culture back into the mainstream.
Paterson grew up on the west coast of the North Island of New Zealand, a place of sparkling black sand and shining waters—a lucky boy in a glittering landscape. He traces his lifelong fascination with crystals, sequins, and most especially glitter back to those early days. He is best known for his spectacular use of colored glitter in paintings, sculptures, and videos. Paterson’s work explores the way that light interacts with scintillating surfaces and connects with landscape, memory, and the stars.
With pieces ranging from monumental public sculpture and land art to intimate paintings, Paterson navigates the spaces between the sacred and the profane. Through pattern, personal history, and fantasy, Paterson creates a world of shimmering intensity. Our conversation is a crash course in a unique, queer, Māori point of view—and not to be missed!
Complete playlist below; tracks in yellow were cut for time.
- North Island Kiwi, Birds of New Zealand, 1980
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Tahi - Dance Mix, Moana And The Moa Hunters, 1993
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Aua Atu Rā, Marlon Williams, 2025
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Waka, Ché-Fu, 1998
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Koauau - Gourd Nose Flute, Richard Nunns, 2002
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Te Hokinga Mai, St. Joseph's Maori Girls College, 1996
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Ikarus, Ladi6, 2013
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Juices, Parallel Dance Ensemble, 2011
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(Glad I'm Not) A Kennedy, Shona Laing, 1985
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I Love My Leather Jacket, The Chills, 1989
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There Is No No, Orchestra Of Spheres, 2011
- Megumi the Milkyway Above, Connan Mockasin, 2011
- Reckoner, Radiohead, 2007
- Over the Hills and Far Away, Led Zeppelin, 1973
- Piano Quintet "Detroit": I. Detroit Grit, Adolphus Hailstork, The Harlem Chamber Players, 2024
- The Blessing Song, Michael White, 1972
- HĪRERETIA RĀ - Akcept Remix, MOKOTRON, Akcept, 2024
- What Do Boys Dream? Joan Armatrading, 1983
- (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over, David Porter, 1971
- Bellbird, Birds of New Zealand, 1980
Reuben Paterson (b. 1973, Auckland, New Zealand: Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāi Tūhoe, Tūhourangi, Scottish) is a New York-based artist whose work explores the transformative properties of light to illuminate whakapapa, spirituality, queer identity, and our relationship with the natural world. Inspired by the glistening waters and sparkling black sands of Tāmaki Makaurau's west coast, his paintings, sculptures, installations, and animations harness the optical power of glitter, reflection, and colour to reveal the histories, presences, and connections that lie beneath the surface of all things. A New Zealand Arts Foundation Arts Laureate (2025) and recipient of the University of Auckland Distinguished Alumni Award (2026), Paterson has exhibited nationally and internationally since 2000. Recent exhibitions include Acid Bath House, Nina Johnson Gallery, Miami (2025); Night Market, Christie's, New York (2024); Takiwā Hou: Imagining New Spaces, Malta Biennale (2024); and Art of the Pacific from the NGV Collection, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne (2025–26). His works are held in major public and private collections throughout Australasia, Europe, and North America.