A Message of Unity 2026 600mmx450mm $3,200
Once I started to discuss this painting with people I realised how many layers of meaning it had.
To put it simply, I discovered that the Tui is considered the messenger between cultures to the Maori people.
The bird houses not only represent our home Aotearoa and the Tui going between cultures but also the history of migration, starting with the Maori people represented by the Marae. The goldminers (stone cottage) and the diversity of cultures they brought to New Zealand and then of course the colonial migration (the villa). Today we now have many cultures that make up our beautiful country.
The Kōwhai portrays the inclusion of these cultures as the flower of friendship.
To put it simply, I discovered that the Tui is considered the messenger between cultures to the Maori people.
The bird houses not only represent our home Aotearoa and the Tui going between cultures but also the history of migration, starting with the Maori people represented by the Marae. The goldminers (stone cottage) and the diversity of cultures they brought to New Zealand and then of course the colonial migration (the villa). Today we now have many cultures that make up our beautiful country.
The Kōwhai portrays the inclusion of these cultures as the flower of friendship.
