Te Aka Matua - Printed Framed Canvas

The sacred vine, the ancestral lineage that connects us back to our roots. It symbolises guidance, whakapapa, and the strength we inherit from those who came before us. The following kōwhaiwhai through the centre represents that connection — ongoing, living, and always moving forward.

The repetitive design speaks our stories, values, and identity that have been passed down through generation and doesn’t fade. They grow, just like the aka (vine), branching out but always tied to the same source.

Around the edges, I’ve used niho taniwha (the teeth of the taniwha) as a protective border. It is used to represent strength, leadership, and the challenges we face. In this piece, it acts as a protection and reminder of the power that surrounds and supports us.

I chose red, white, and black to keep it traditional. Red for life and connection, black for strength and potential, white for clarity and balance.

This work is about legacy and the strength in knowing where you come from, and the responsibility to carry it forward.

Frame Colour: Black

Dimensions: 95cm x 35cm 

All canvas prints are signed and numbered

All images are watermarked for copyright purposes only, and they will NOT appear on prints that are purchased