2008
Native New Zealand Kauri Wood
12x24
$3500

The wood is New Zealand Kauri, probably the most sought after native here. It only grows in the north here. The title is Ikatere which means swimming fish. To the Maori in Aotearoa when the world was created and the wind (Tawhirimatea) attacked his brothers, Ikatere and his brother Tutewehiwehi argued. Tutewehiwehi fled to the inland and became the parent of reptiles. Ikatere fled to the sea and became the parent of all fish. Some of the offspring of Ikatere swam to the South Island of Aotearoa and up one of the rivers. According to the story this is where Pounamu (jade) comes from.