Tohorā Blue Whale

Edition of 30

I was inspired to create 'Tohorā Kahurangi' (Blue Whale) after learning of the genetically distinct Blue Whale population of the South Taranaki Bight. These whales are under threat from seabed mining.

Kahurangi means blue in te reo Maori, and it also means precious and treasured, so I have bathed the whale in a diamond shaped jewel of blue light, with the pop of the red and white diamond shaped star. The colours also reference the NZ flag. Mt Taranaki in the distance, seen from the south, locates the whale, as do the stars of the Matariki cluster.

Paula is always watching the light and the way it changes the landscape. She is inspired by early New Zealand art from both Pakeha and Maori, and especially the areas where these cultures overlap.

Hand painted, dyed and screen printed wall hung flag

All natural fibres.

900mm x 1630mm