Acrylic on 50cm panel board with a high gloss finish

$450nzd each

Fantails, or Piwakawaka, often bless me with their cheeky presence. Like many manu, the piwakawaka are seen as messengers from the other world. They frequently follow humans around, showcasing their exquisite feathers as they dance about in pursuit of bugs.

Inspired by a recent adventure around “the block” at the end of autumn in 2024, the Haast series captures the profound stillness and solitude of one of our more remote locations in Aotearoa. My curiosity took us from Amberley to Twizel, Wanaka, Haast, the Glaciers, and back through the Arthurs Pass. With winter approaching, this was our chance to venture out before the hibernation season set in.

We spent three chilly nights in the Pass, enveloped by snow-covered mountains, with only a few hours of direct sunlight each day. Our week-long exploration of the area allowed us to count our blessings as we roamed through one of the less-travelled spots in Te Waipounamu, cherishing the solitude along the road.

In the depths of the Haast Pass, I could envision how the sounds of this space would amplify and resonate the songs of all the birds living in harmony, creating a beautiful symphony of nature. I love our manus, and they continue to inspire my journey as an artist, reminding me of the connection we share with our environment and the stories it tells.