Kia Whakanuia Te Whenua - the illustrations

We’ve previously showcased The Landscape Foundation’s first book, KIA WHAKANUIA TE WHENUA, but now attention is turning to the art illustrations within the book.

They are the work of Waiari MacMillan who was recommended to the foundation by its publisher - he was then provided with the broad themes of each chapter.

Illustration nine - WEAVING TOGETHER - A healthy future for the land by interweaving of mātauranga Maori and western science.

He produced three stunning, coloured images which became the frontispiece, the introduction and the end piece. The first two introduce the theme of a fresh Māori focused beginning for the whenua which reflects the focus of the book.

The end piece focuses on night and death – how this new beginning might arise from the darkness of our current land-use practise. Black and white images are used to illustrate the seven chapters of the book.

The Foundation is offering a limited number of his illustrations as fine art prints in a range of sizes and also as sets. You can see more about the offer here.

Illustration six - WHENUA MĀORI. Alienation of mana whenua – made visible in the landscape.

LAA covered the release of the book last year. (You can read our story here) You can also read a review of the book here.

Kia Whakanuia Te Whenua is Māori-led, and explores the spirit of whenua and how it is embedded in place through identity and naming.

Forty different authors contributed articles, including perspectives from Aboriginal, American Indian and Irish landscape architects as well as Māori and Pakeha.

Illustration three. Endpiece – NIGHT/DEATH. Sunset and swift Pacific dusk shows the way. Shadow and darkness transform a fresh beginning.

The Landscape Foundation believes Waiari’s images are unique. “They are not the culturally rich patterns or depictions we generally see in art galleries and shops.

“They move beyond that by interpreting our connection to the natural world, the threats that world presents if our relationship with it is not changed and the future we might have if we accept the challenge of changing our relationship with the whenua.”