Matariki - A new beginning

Well, it's Matariki Day in 2 days time, The Maori New Year, and this is a painting I have done to represent the meaning of it.

'New Beginnings' - the title of this 700mm diameter tondo painting.
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The inspiration for this work came from the Parapara garden (in the wonderful Hamilton Gardens) which took my breath away when I visited the first time.  The pataka and the pattern of kumera planting told of the long history of cultivation in Kirikiriroa - images I have attempted to capture in this mixed media tondo work - together with the Matariki star cluster.  

'New Beginnings' (the title) uses acrylic media in many forms, ti kouka (cabbage tree) leaves used in depicting  the pataka, Japanese gampi paper and gold leaf on stretched canvas. ​