Guardian I

Explore the story of the artwork >>

Print sizes and editions (limited to 275)

• Regular museum archival paper print - 300 x 300mm

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, 300 x 300mm, 2013

The story of Guardian I

Sofia's fascination with humpback whales stems from her love of diving and her research into the role of whales as 'guardians', known to Māori as 'kaitiaki', of mankind. 'Kaitiakitanga' is the stewardship or protection of the vital life force (mauri) of all entities animate and inanimate within the whakapapa (genealogy) of the natural world.

Some believe that whales have mass consciousness, not individual consciousnesses like man does. That means, if something happens to one whale, it is somehow known to the rest. Others hold that the deeply peaceful presence emanating from whales, which is palpable to divers fortunate enough to experience close contact, as well as the sacrifice that whales make in beaching themselves, are in order to raise the vibration and compassion of humankind.

Kaitiaki also can mean 'guide' and many traditions mention that whales accompanied or guided the canoes on their journeys to Aotearoa. Tohunga (expert practitioners) responsible for navigation exercised their powers during storms, appealing to sea creatures to escort the canoes and shield them from the fury of a storm.

If whales have been guides and guardians to our ancestors journeying to Aotearoa over the centuries then let it be mankind's turn to now act as kaitiaki of the natural world.

Select your print >>

Sofia Minson Paintings | New Zealand Artwork