Mackenzie in Gold Limited Edition Print by Sofia Minson

Limited Edition Print

Image size in millimetres: 725 x 355
Limited edition of 75 signed prints on matte paper of museum archival quality (308gsm Hahnemuhle photo rag)

The large Mackenzie land basin set amidst mountains in the centre of Te Wai Pounamu (the South Island of New Zealand) is home to the only bird in the world with a beak that bends sideways - ngutuparore (the wrybill). Ngutuparore is pictured here in front of Aotearoa's tallest peak Aoraki Maunga (Mt Cook), perfectly reflected in glacial Lake Pukaki, with oversized Mt Cook lilies and flowering lupins popping up in the foreground.

Intricate Maori and sacred geometric designs highlight and decorate the bird. Matt black markings swallow up light while gold ink just about glows in contrast.

It is thought that the wrybill's beak developed a bend so it can reach creatures hidden under stones. Much like the cheeky mountain dwellers the kea, the wrybill’s boldness around people disguises the fact that they are one of New Zealand’s most vulnerable species, with a population of only 5,000.

In the Māori world view, people are closely connected to the land and nature. Kaitiakitanga is based on this idea of humans being part of the natural world. Kaitiakitanga means guardianship and is a way of managing and protecting the environment.

"Ko te whenua te waiu mo nga uri whakatipu”, “The land will provide sustenance for future generations”

Prints like the limited edition Mackenzie in Gold by Sofia Minson are available to buy today, for prints that go well with this one check out the collections it is listed in here at New Zealand's specialist art print gallery:

Sofia Minson Prints
Newest NZ Artist Prints
NZ Landscape Art
Limited Editions
Maori Art & Artists