Z-Lander

Isn't it about time I spent another 30 hours or so on a piece? Well I did it anyway.

Hopefully I do justice to the Maori culture with this piece. A few notes: The war club she is holding is called a wahaika which translates to "mouth of the fish" I would guess that the reasoning behind the name is that the clubs were carved out of the jaw bone of a whale, though some are also made of wood or jade. Such weapons were reserved for warriors of high status. The figured carved on the back of the club would be either an ancestral figure or Tu Matuenga (the god of war).

The pendant around her neck is a hei tiki. Hei meaning suspended from the neck and tiki the first man.

In regards to her tattoos and the carved figure, both are heavily linked to ancestry and social status. So rather than stealing someones heritage I opted to create my own based on traditional maori designs. Moko or face tattoos were most often carved into the skin and as I mentioned before represent ancestry, social status, rank, marital status etc. Males of high status would eventually have thier whole face tattooed, females would usually just be tattooed on the chin and upper lip.

The Carved figures often represent revered ancestral figure though sometimes are made to represent gods. The eyes are inlaid with paua shells.

I guess I will stop at that. If you know that I have gotten any of this incorrect please let me know.

11x14 - acrylic paint, Micron pen, blue and black Pilot ballpoint pens