Ko te whāea te tākere o te waka - The mother is the hull of the canoe, the heart of the family

Artwork Statement

This artwork positions motherhood as foundation and vessel. A wahine, cloaked in kowhaiwhai motifs, carries her child upon her back. Their korowai binds them together - earthen tones grounding her, cool blues flowing across him. Her expression is steadfast, while the boy’s cheeky defiance interrupts with vitality, drawing us into a moment that is both tender and staunch. Two feathers in her hair connect her to tūpuna, while the silver-leaf ground suggests both resilience and fragility.

This work binds many themes of Josh’s 2025 collection — whakapapa, continuity, balance between softness and strength. The mother is both hull and navigator, carrying the child, and by extension the future, forward across ancestral tides.

Limited Edition Print

This giclée archival print comes from a hand-signed edition of just 25 per size. Printed on Museum grade fine art paper, each work is crafted to last and available in a range of sizes to suit your space.

Details

• Printed on Hahnemühle Museum Etching 350 gsm natural white Matte
• 100% cotton with a finely textured surface
• Matte premium inkjet coating for exceptional print quality 
• Acid and lignin free
• ISO 9706 certified museum quality for maximum longevity
• Long lasting high quality Epson UltraChrome pigment inks 
• Designed to bring depth, movement, and a classic fine art feel to the work 

Fine Art Canvas Edition

Printed on 360gsm Matte Premium Cotton Canvas, our Fine Art Canvas offers vibrant, lifelike colour with the depth and texture of traditional painting.

Features

• Size: 600x900mm canvas with a box frame (original painting size)
• 100% cotton, natural white, 360gsm matte finish
• OBA-free and acid-free for archival preservation
• Professionally stretched on kiln-dried timber (ready to hang)
• Optional bespoke tray framing available for a polished finish
• Protected with Breathing Color Timeless Varnish for UV resistance, crack prevention, and long-lasting vibrancy
• This varnish enhances colour depth and texture while preserving the print’s original tint and tone — ensuring your canvas remains luminous and durable for years to come.
• Sits in a pine floater box frame (black) that beautifully compliments the canvas and comes ready to hang 

Please Note:
Shipping for canvas editions is an additional cost and will be arranged directly with the customer.
Please do not select a shipping option at checkout — I will personally contact you to discuss delivery details once your order is placed.