Aotearoa's Evolution

Original painting SOLD, oil and sand on canvas, 880 x 790mm, 2005

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• Regular museum archival paper print - 550 x 494mm

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The story of Aotearoa's Evolution

This mixed media work has two distinct strips of sand, one from Mangawhai Beach and the other from Ohope Beach, both of which are coastal areas of Aotearoa loved by the artist. Sofia has a particular affinity with Ohope Beach in the Bay of Plenty as she has family connections there and visits the beach frequently. The rest of the piece is painted with softly blended oils. The work describes a layering of earth and sky, symbolically referring to the Maori legend of Papatuanuku (Mother Earth) and Ranginui (Sky Father). The river stones and the bands of sand represent the earth of Papa. Rangi is the grey sky above, casting his glow on the rocks. As the two intertwined koru (spirals) suggest, Papa and Rangi once clung together in a close, loving embrace. The myth of Rangi and Papa describes the creation of Aotearoa and of the world, through their eventual separation by their divine children that were born between them. This work also represents creation and evolution, inspired by the ancient myth of the two lovers.

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Sofia Minson Paintings | New Zealand Artwork