World of the Gods

Original painting SOLD, oil on canvas, 1500 x 1500mm, 2007

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Print sizes and editions (limited to 75)

• Regular museum archival paper print - 550 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
   
   

The story of World of the Gods

"World of the Gods" was inspired by a very ancient notion - that our natural world is affected by the conflicts raging between various gods of creationary mythology. Maori legend says that before our world existed, Ranginui (sky father) and Papatuanuku (earth mother) clung together in a close, loving embrace. In the dark, confined realm between them, 70 divine sons were born. The strongest, Tanemahuta, along with many of his brothers yearned for more air, space and light in which to live. Tradition tells that in planting his head on the earth and thrusting his feet against the sky, Tane succeeded in separating his parents. Once liberated, the children of Ranginui and Papatuanuku then became the gods of Aotearoa.

Tawhirimatea, god of the winds, had always opposed the separation. Mournfully he followed his father into the sky and sent mighty winds down upon the other gods. Tane became progenitor of the forests and supplied people with waka (canoes), spears, and fish-hooks, all fashioned from the timber of his trees. This work depicts a serine, misty coastal scene with a native toi toi in the foreground. However far on the distant horizon is an element of unrest. Tane in the form of a waka taua (elaborately carved war canoe) is under attack by a storm cloud summoned by Tawhirimatea. Whether enemies or allied siblings, perhaps the divine children of Rangi and Papa continue to use their power over the forces of nature to this day.

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