Tuihana

Explore the story of the artwork >>

Print sizes and editions

• Regular museum archival paper print - 780 x 477mm
  (limited to 95) 
• Large museum archival paper print - 1156 x 710mm
  (limited to 95)
• Extra Large museum canvas print - 1262 x 780mm
  (limited to 95)

Your unique limited edition fine art print

1. Sofia Minson creates your exclusive signed print
2. We ship for $25 in NZ and from $50 internationally
3. Your artwork arrives rolled, ready to be framed - do you need help? Request framing guidance

Original painting SOLD, acrylic and flashe on canvas 1630 x 1080mm (including frame), 2016

The story of Tuihana

This painting of Aotearoa's native tui, along with the piece "Ngahuia" of the same size, which Minson painted concurrently, "flowed beautifully and was a joy to create" according to the artist.

Her process for both works started with loose, black, ink-like washes for the body of the bird using a vinyl, water based paint called flashe. The mustard yellow background, representing the tui's much loved kowhai flowers was then filled in, and lastly came the fine detailing in white to give Tuihana a regal, ornate quality. The triangle patterns that make up the branch are based on tāniko designs that are found in decorative Maori weaving used to decorate the borders of fine garments. The substantial wooden frame was chosen to bring out the bird's character, giving the impression of a traditional human portrait. 

The two sister paintings "Tuihana" and "Ngahuia" both have names that are fairly common for Maori women. This is another element that suggests personality and harkens to human portraiture.

Sofia's bird and landscape paintings bring her own attention to precious parts of the natural world that all of us, as kaitiaki or guardians, must work to protect. Huia birds are sadly extinct but we still have the tui and this painting celebrates the vitality of this gorgeous, playful bird that can often be found bouncing around harakeke (flax) and kowhai branches.

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Sofia Minson Paintings | New Zealand Artwork