Sofia Minson Ltd Edition Print "Ruru"

Giclee Print

Image size in millimetres: 805 x 500
Edition of 275 signed prints.

Signed limited edition giclee print on archival paper from contemporary NZ artist Sofia Minson.

'Ruru' is an artwork that asks the viewer to recall our inherent connectedness with our environment. It beckons and awakens a shift in our consciousness – from a psyche unhappily separated from Papatūānuku (earth mother), to a diverse global Collective who is aware of its place within the living cosmos and alongside earth mother and sky father. Ruru, or the morepork, is our native owl in Aotearoa. He is a mysterious messenger, understood by Māori as a herald communicating between worlds – mortal and spirit, material and sacred. The messenger stares confrontingly into our space, reminding humans that we are part of the breathing consciousness of the natural world he inhabits.

Ruru is a painting about remembering ourselves - putting ourselves back together. As three ancient and potent symbols come together, we see that their meaning and message evolves as we go through the process of transforming, and becoming more clear in our purpose, day by day. Conjuring, grounding, and connecting – with three powerful symbols. Ruru embodies that shift in our collective psyche, as we start to dismantle the archaic Cartesian philosophy separating mankind from the environment. This painting honours the rediscovery of our intrinsic connection to the natural world, to Papatūānuku and her consciousness. While this shift is being felt all over the world, knowledge of our connection within the land is fundamental to Māori knowledge – the natural world is interwoven within one’s whakapapa, or spiritual ancestry.

This print also features Sri Yantra, the sacred symbol. An ancient geometric emblem, the gilded Sri Yantra spreads across the canvas. The Sri Yantra is a manifestation tool, transmitting divine energy and wisdom. This symbol, used in ancient meditation practices to activate inner desires with the outside world, reflects our deep inner yearning to tap into collective consciousness. The Sri Yantra amplifies and projects the message of awakening out into our space, fusing together two worlds – mankind and nature, conscious and subconscious, mortal and divine wisdom.

The Ruru stands proudly atop Mount Hikurangi, establishing a sense of place in this piece. The grounding power of this maunga signals an intrinsic bond to our home within and as part of nature. It is this ancestral belonging to the natural world that is echoed through one’s pepeha; a Māori introduction that grounds one’s ancestral presence with the mountains and waters around them.

Ngāti Porou would say:

'Ko Hikurangi te maunga, Ko Waiapu te awa, Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi'