The acrylic painting shows a figure of St Elizabeth of Hungary — a saint associated with kindness — with the face of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The image is drawn from multiple combined Catholic prayer cards. St Elizabeth of Hungary’s symbols are bread and roses, which link back to the aims of the trade union movement — to alleviate poverty through meaningful work. The quote is something Jacinda Ardern said in several press briefings during the Coronavirus crisis: “Be strong, and be kind.”

These fridge magnets were part of a limited edition of 100, based on a painting I did during Level 4 Covid-19 lockdown in New Zealand.

They sold out in a matter of days. I had orders from Australia, the UK, Sweden and of course New Zealand. I also sold them in local shops. I won’t print any more fridge magnets but I may do this design on another kind of item such as a tea towel in future if there’s interest. However, right now I’m busy with new work.

I highly recommend my magnet printers, by the way — Magnets New Zealand.