Little piggy off to market for Starship
Cancer survivor’s sister among artists helping out hospital
Teen artist Noon Seeto was 6 years old when her big sister Ruby was diagnosed with cancer at age 9. She remembers being “neglected” by mum and dad as the family spent nearly every waking hour in Starship hospital with Ruby, and once even threw a tantrum demanding that it was her turn to get her parents’ attention.
Now 19, Seeto understands her sister — who has been in remission from cancer for the past 13 years — wouldn’t be where she is had it not been for the care she got at Starship.
This year, to support Starship, the first-year Otago University Health Science student has put time and energy into creating a piece of piggy art for a fundraising auction.
“I’ve named my pig Little Piggy Big City, combining New Zealand’s rich farming culture and cityscapes in between,” said Seeto, who studied painting at St Cuthbert’s College.
“I painted my pig midnight blue using water mixable oil paint, and windows to view cityscapes beneath the skin of this little piggy.”
More than 20 pieces of piggy art will be taking over Parnell as part of its Chinese New Year celebrations.
According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the new year — which starts on Feb 5 — is the Year of the Pig, the last of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
To mark the event, Parnell is hosting an exhibition of piggy art pieces, created by artists and celebrities, in its local galleries and retail shops next month before each one is auctioned for charity.
Money raised is for the Starship National Air Ambulance Service.
Seeto’s pig is one of those to be auctioned and she hopes it will fetch more than $5000.
“Growing up in Starship when my sister was sick . . . it was a lifethreatening disease, it was quite hard as I was only 6 and just started school,” she said.
“It’s really important to have support for Starship and all that they do, because without them, my sister wouldn’t have had the care.”
Parnell Business Association general manager Cheryl Adamson said the piggy artists include TV presenter Erin Simpson, SamoanNew Zealand artist Fatu Feu’u and China-born illustrator Joseph Qiu.
Starship Foundation chief executive Aisha Daji Punga is urging Kiwis to get behind the project and bid for the art pieces.
“Bidding [for] one of the little pigs will mean you’re helping bring better health and brighter futures to our children, so I’d encourage everyone to take a look, pick their favourite and get involved,” Punga said.
Last year, the Starship air ambulance flew more than 160 retrieval missions bringing critically ill children to Starship from across the country.
“This service and others provided by our national children’s hospital ensure that all our children have access to world-class healthcare, irrespective of where they live,” Punga said. “It’s only possible because generous individuals and organisations in our community support Starship by donating to the Starship Foundation.”
The Year of the Pig auction will be on February 28 at Jonathan Grant Galleries. The pig art will be on display between February 9 and 24.
It’s really important to have support for Starship and all that they do, because without them, my sister wouldn’t have had the care. Noon Seeto, piggy artist