Heart of the Pohutukawa
760 x 760
Mixed Media - Paint, dress patterns, graphite, charcoal, metallic foil

​This painting (and prepatory poem) was inspired by the Maori legend of Tawhaki, a young warrior, who attempted to find heaven to seek help in avenging the death of his father. He fell to earth and the crimson flowers are said to represent his blood. I’ve read the Pohutukawa tree has the ability to sprout root systems from its trunk and branches; and is able to grow through air, over surfaces as it searches for crevices, pockets of soil and moisture. I wanted to give the fallen warrior (person) that powerful resilience to seek survival so that they could regenerate and heal. It is claimed that the inner bark of the Pohutukawa tree can be tied against wounds to stop bleeding.