First Video on My New Website “New Zealand Artwork .com”

After spending a couple of intensive weeks online, my new website NewZealandArtwork.com is now up and running and I’ve added my first video on the Biography page introducing myself and my art (see below).

The purpose of the new site is to enable more interaction with videos and social media.

Also I now have a simple shopping cart facility, which is great for my limited edition prints.

Written by Sofia Minson from NewZealandArtwork.com

Maori Myths This Summer

A hot La Niña Summer has arrived early in New Zealand this year.  Although farmers are fearing dry conditions it’s absolutely joyous for those of us who will be soaking in Aotearoa’s beautiful coastline over Christmas.  How about taking a book of Maori myths to the beach with you this summer?  You could find yourself looking at mountains, rivers, the earth, the sky and our ocean horizon with new cultural resources and a sense of awe.

I’ve been painting feverishly in my Glen Innes studio of late and it’s not because of the warm weather, it’s because of the Maori myths.  For years these ancient allegories have illuminated my concept of landscape topography, migration, natural forces, creation and spirituality.  Making their way into my artworks these stories have facilitated my reconnection with Aotearoa.

I was brought up in a globetrotting Kiwi family and we had little to do with our Ngati Porou (Maori), Swedish, English and Irish ancestry.  Due to my father’s engineering project management work we lived in Samoa, Sri Lanka and China and on our return to New Zealand when I was a teenager I felt ‘rootless’.  I wanted to forge new links with this land so I could feel at home here.

Among other investigations into my heritage I turned to researching Maori legends and for six years I have been inspired to paint our landscapes, seascapes, bird life, carvings and waka (canoes), enriched with layers of these stories.

I have just finished three works pictured below, which are based on the legend of Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator who is said to have journeyed from his homeland Hawaiiki, to become the first person to discover Aotearoa.  Themes of origins, journeys, dynamic life, deep stillness and spiritual connection with the land are explored.  In all three paintings I have depicted my interpretation of Kupe’s ocean-going waka, the Matawhaorua, with its intricately carved tauihu (bow piece) and taurapa (stern post).

Why not make your own explorations into the abundance of Maori myths out there? They could make very rewarding summer reading.

I hope these paintings move you to feel, as I do, a renewed sense of closeness with this beautiful and mysterious South Pacific land.

He Kotuku Rerenga Tahi

Detail – He Kotuku Rerenga Tahi

Detail – He Kotuku Rerenga Tahi

From Rangiatea

Detail – From Rangiatea

Detail – From Rangiatea

Rerenga

Detail – Rerenga

Detail – Rerenga

What’s On This Summer:

1. The three seascape/waka pieces pictured above are currently on display at Parnell Gallery
2. A solo collection of 17 of my works, many exploring Maori myths, are being exhibited at Red Spot Gallery in Rotorua until mid January 2011.
3. In January 2011 eight new seascape/waka pieces that I’m currently working on will be exhibited at Toi o Tahuna Gallery in Queenstown alongside carvings by Aaron Kereopa.

Free Art Workshops, Exhibition and Sofia Minson Painting On-Site at Orakei Community Centre This Weekend

Come and visit the Orakei Community Centre on Kepa Rd this weekend (Sat 9 and Sun 10 Oct) for the ARTauckland 2010 festivities.

Auckland East Arts Council is hosting their bi-annual exhibition and offering fun, free, hands-on art workshops for all ages.  I’ll be the ‘Artist in Residence’ throughout Saturday and Sunday painting on-site, exhibiting my art and discussing with visitors my techniques and the way I draw from my heritage to inform my work.

Bring the family, come and have a chat, enjoy the fantastic exhibition and get creative!!!

Venue: Orakei Community Centre on Kepa Rd, Auckland, NZ

Hours: Saturday 9 October 10am-5pm, Sunday 10 October 10am-4pm

Entry: Free!

Urban Living October 2010

Painting for Huge Fifa 2010 Arts Project

I’ve been commissioned by a major South African arts consortium to do this painting based on my pride and joy that New Zealand is part of the Fifa 2010 World Cup.  Only five artists were chosen from each qualifying country!

Welcome to the blog of artist Sofia Minson

"Noku Te Whenua", 1300x1300mm, oil on canvas, For Sale