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| Green Stones, Paua and Net - M04125 |
| Size: 500x400mm approx
PVA and acrylic on 40mm box canvas New Zealand paua is the local version of abalone, but has a dark meat which, when removed, reveals a shell interior with spectacular metallic blues and greens. This painting is a stylized version of paua shell, with metallic greens, purples and blues. The stone sections are a direct reflection of living on Poranui Beach (Birdlings Flat) which is renowned for its expanse of colored stones. In my latest series of works I have experimented with varying themes on paua shells, stone masses, unfurling fern fronds, flax growth patterns etc, in an effort to more deeply explore the relationships early Maori must have had expressing naturally occurring themes and images when creating their art works, and how this developed into the art forms and styles we recognize as Maori traditional art and design today. I like sectioning off my paintings so I am able to create different relationships between the elements of color, pattern and design, bearing in mind that the whole motivation of original Maori design was focused on decoration. This particular painting contains the essence of Poranui Beach, with the stones, paua shell and symbolic fishing net, or the weave of lines on a "Kontiki" (or Maori fishing kite), synonymous with life in this village. |
Matariki Gallery - Maori Art
