Rebecca Davies-Cowie - Matariki over Aoraki Mount Cook

Matariki is the Māori name for the cluster of stars (Pleiades) which rises in mid-winter and signals the M āori New Year and a time of remembrance, joy and peace. Matariki is the brightest star and the mother of the eight stars that surround her. These stars each represent a special meaning for M āori - Matariki is connected to health and wellbeing and signifies reflection, hope, our connection to the environment and the gathering of whanau. Waitī is associated with fresh water bodies and the food sources that are sustained by those waters, Waitā, the ocean and food sources within it, Waipuna-ā-rangi, the rain. Tupuānuku is connected with everything that grows within the soil, Tupuārangi is everything that grows up in the trees and the birds. Ururangi is the star associated with the winds, Pōhutukawa is connected with those that have passed on and Hiwa-i-te-rangi is the star connected to our wishes and our aspirations for the year ahead. This year in Aotearoa we look forward to Matariki becoming a public holiday and an opportunity for whanau and friends to come together, share kai and celebrate.

For 'Matariki over Aoraki Mount Cook', I have used pango/black ink. The size of the linocut is 15cm high by 22.5cm wide and the size of the paper is 20cm high x 25cm wide making it easy to source a ready made frame.

About the Artist: Rebecca Davies-Cowie is a printmaker living in Otautahi, Christchurch. Her linocut artworks depict New Zealand native flora and fauna. 

Artistic Process: Beginning with a pencil drawing, each design is then transferred onto biodegradable lino and carved then inked by hand using quality Cranfield relief ink.

Rebecca then uses her etching press to print each linocut onto handmade Japanese Awagami printmaking paper. As each linocut is inked by hand, each print is slightly different. 

Delivery timeframe: Linocuts are packaged and ready to ship. If it is out of stock, you can still purchase, but please allow 5 additional days.