COMMONER is an exhibition presenting three artists from different parts of the North Island, with Yonel Watene from Auckland, Kauri Hawkins from Gisborne and Chevron Hassett from Lower Hutt. Even though deriving from distant regions, they each understood the value of unifying to amplify a collective voice for this exhibition. Envisioning their artworks to transcend the many boundaries of class, place and race.

Within COMMONER, the artists have made new work for ST PAUL St Gallery by responding to their lived experiences, commenting on the social issues and overarching stereotypes attached to their identities, which have ultimately shaped each of them.