Tanoa

Oil on wooden canvas
1000mmx1000mm

This is a story from my childhood told to me by an uncle regarding our and ancestors.

I remember thinking was this real or just a story . The distances they had to travel seemed almost impossible. Sometimes having to lift and move the waka (canoe) over land. I fell asleep that night thinking of the story.

I dreamt the waka (canoe) very large, moved effortlessly on the river and had many treasures to take to their new home. The buildings and waka (canoe) were distorted and from another time. The moon very large to aid with light for night travel. The tui a very important passenger would call to other birds also guiding them on their journey. The tuis call was all you could hear, booming in bird song, louder as they approached their destination