Whenua ūkaipō

Artwork Statement

Whenua ūkaipō speaks to belonging and nourishment — the bond between people, land, and spirit. Whenua means both land and placenta, the source that sustains and the ground we return to. Ūkaipō, “to be fed from the breast at night,” deepens this meaning to true home and origin.

At its centre stands a wāhine cloaked in a korowai of five distinct patterns, each thread holding whakapapa, memory, and renewal. Gold-filled seams trace her body like kintsugi, symbolising fracture and healing, the beauty of culture reclaimed and made whole again.

She stands grounded on coastal rock, the land and sea alive with memory. Though the sky above is stormed and shifting, her presence remains luminous, a declaration of survival, identity, and reconnection.

Whenua Ūkaipō is both personal and collective: a returning home, a moment of grounding in whakapapa and whenua that continues to sustain us, even through change.

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

• 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.

Shipping

• Standard flat rate courier shipping within Aotearoa New Zealand

• Express options available on request (buyer’s expense)

• Packaged securely in a protective postal tube

• Comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity

• Estimated delivery 5–10 business days

Bring this limited edition piece into your home and add something truly enduring to your collection.