Tau Ihu in Mist and Light

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Print sizes and editions (limited to 275)

• Regular museum archival paper print - 269 x 550mm

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, oil on canvas, 244 x 500mm, 2011

The story of Tau Ihu in Mist and Light

This mystical seascape lined with Nikau Palms depicts the north of the South Island's wild west coast.

It looks south to Karamea from the mouth of the Heaphy River and is seen by trampers as they reach the coast after their trek through Kahurangi National Park.

A Pouakai Eagle emerges from the light and soars over the waves. This majestic creature with a wingspan of up to 3 metres went extinct c.1400 A.D.

Legend has it that Maui, the great Polynesian navigator, fished up the North Island of New Zealand with his magic fishhook. The South Island is known as Te Waka a Maui, The Canoe of Maui. The northern region of the South Island, the place that inspired this painting, is known as Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka a Māui, The Prow of Māui's Canoe.

In this work, a place of mystery and light is created at the point where the ocean meets the ancient prow of Maui's waka, Te Tau Ihu.

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Sofia Minson Paintings | New Zealand Artwork