From Rangiātea

Original painting SOLD, oil on canvas, 1370 x 1010mm, 2011

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Print sizes and editions (limited to 75)

• Regular museum archival paper print - 740 x 546mm
• Large museum archival paper print -  778 x 1056mm
• Extra Large museum canvas print - 870 x 1180mm

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
   
   

The story of From Rangiātea

"From Rangiātea" expresses universal themes of origins, journeys, dynamic life, deep stillness and a spiritual connection with the land. The painting is named after a group of islands in the Pacific known as Rangiātea or the Society Group. 

Like Hawaiiki, Rangiātea is considered an ancient Māori homeland from whence the original canoes voyaged to New Zealand centuries ago. Connection to this homeland is conveyed in the proverb "He kākano āhau, ruia mai i Rangiātea", which means "I am a seed, scattered from Rangiātea."

The great Polynesian navigator

In terms of narrative "From Rangiātea" is informed by the legend of Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator. Kupe is said to have visited Rangiātea and journeyed from his homeland, Hawaiiki, to become the first person to discover Aotearoa. Sofia's interpretation of his great ocean going vessel, the Matawhaorua, is pictured in this work with an intricately carved taurapa (stern piece) and tauihu (bow piece).

The crew of the Matawhaorua encountered many obstacles on their long voyage including a battle with an enraged, monstrous Octopus. It was Kupe's wife Hine Te Aparangi who finally sighted land naming it Aotearoa, Land of the Long White Cloud.

The spirit and memory remains

The solitary, ancient waka is depicted resting upon the shores of Aotearoa after its immense journey. Two pouakai eagles - a large native species with a wingspan of up to 3 metres that went extinct c.1400 A.D. - are shown flying to greet the newly arrived vessel. As Kupe and the crew of the Matawhaorua leave the waka to explore the discovered land, this painting gives the sense that although the people are gone, the spirit and memory of their great voyage remains.

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Sofia Minson Oil Paintings | New Zealand Artwork