HEI TIKI

For Māori, the Hei Tiki symbol represents the human form and one's ancestors. Traditionally passed from parent to child it links the past, present and future. Hei tiki manifests itself in my work weaving messages from the divine, human experience and nature.

This large Hei Tiki is all about the heart, the aroha, the love within us. There is lots of movement through the head, which anchors the Hei Tiki. It is painted as a heavy, sculptural shape that also carries the lightness of a twilight sky. Some green shades come out, showing the light within the pounamu (greenstone), the Māori gold, which has its own mauri (life force).

Hei Rongoa is part of the Hei Tiki Tūpuna collection inspired by the connection to ancestors and our relationship with the cosmos and the myriad of celestial bodies that continue to guide our journey. This painting draws upon our traditional medicinal knowledge and our connection ngā otaota (plants) and how this relationship continues to inspire, shape and guide us in our everyday lives.

Hei tiki- for the love of our Ancestors

This painting brings the heavens, the earth, nature, and the human realm in close quarters with each other. The Sun and the Moon are right next to us, and our ancestors appear as elements of nature. Above this scene there is a stairway with angels that carry light all the way to the heavens, into another realm of ancestors and another layer of stars. This Hei Tiki contains elevation and expansion. One can see a man playing with the poi, as if spinning a planet in his hand, and controlling the elements around him and the myriad of celestial bodies that continue to guide our journey.

This piece is available for viewing at the Park Hyatt Hotel

91cm x 120cm

$18.000.00

This painting was completed in March 2019 following the mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. It meant a lot to me to mark that time with tears but also to show strength and resilience of the community who came together. The Hei Tiki is an iconic symbol used in Māori culture and continues to be an inspiration to me.

This piece is available for viewing at the Park Hyatt Hotel

Acrylic Paint, Metal Flake and Resin on Canvas.

Framed with negative detail and a dark waxed finished wood.

120cm x 150cm

$27.000