On Wednesday afternoon the Senior Learning Team were absolutely blown away when they heard Robin Slow say that the amazing piece of art pictured above was a gift from him to Mapua School!

The Senior Learning Team have been looking closely at Robin Slow's art work as they prepare their manu tukuku (kites) for the forthcoming Matariki art display. They love the rich colours he uses, the way he incorporates koru designs and the stories he weaves into his designs. As they work on their manu (birds) they are enjoying incorporating these elements into their work. Everyone was excited when they heard that Robin had agreed to come and speak to them. 

One of the questions many students wanted to know the answer to was, what inspired him to follow his artistic talents?  He told them that when he was their age a talented artist visited his school to talk about their art as well as helping the students create their own piece of art and from there Robin found his passion for art.  I wonder how many of the students at Mapua will discover that art is a talent and passion for them as a result of listening to Robin?

Robin has sent this explanation for the painting, "Kaitiaki Manu 'Hamish'":

Hamish the kōtuku was a well-known visitor to Mapua.

He kōtuku rerenga tahi.  The white heron of a single flight. A distinguished visitor that visits only rarely.

He holds a proud whakakpapa going right back to when Tane brought down his ancestor from the heavens as one of two sacred birds. The other manu being Hokioi. The form or shape of the kōtuku’s wings references this tipuna.

The long white plumes from the wings are called piki kotuku and were prized as head ornament by the people of high rank.

Mātariki and the six sisters are shown as the ‘people’ stars above the manu that is swooping down into the waters below. To the side are the manaia that show the winds and the air currents.