Acrylic on 50cm panel board with a high gloss finish

$450nzd each

The Huia is long gone from this world but not forgotten. They were a striking manu with dark and light contrasting tail feathers. Their tail feathers were a taonga for the Māori people of Aotearoa and adorned the head, the most sacred part of the body, of rangatiratanga, the leaders of Iwi. I marvel at their beauty and wonder what it would have been like to have them in our world today. A reminder to look after our whenua and those who live here before it is gone.

Inspired by a recent adventure around "the block" at the end of autumn in 2024, the Haast series captures the deep 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. Knowing that winter was just around the corner, this was our opportunity to get out and about before hibernation set in.

We spent three chilly nights in the Pass amidst the snow-covered mountains, with only a few hours of direct sunshine a day and another week exploring the area. We counted our blessings as we ventured through one of the less-travelled spots in Te Waipounamu and cherished the solitude on the road. Being surrounded by such greatness was a truly humbling experience.

I love our manus, and in the depths of the Haast Pass, I could imagine the noise this space would create, amplifying the songs of all the birds living in harmony. The beauty of nature remains timeless, urging us to preserve and honor the legacy of those once present, like the Huia, while cherishing the song of the birds that continue to grace our landscapes.

Email - Carriesartnz@gmail.com