On Monday when we were in Dunedin I asked Nigel to take me to the Otago Art Society Annual Exhibition. As always there was a wonderful variety of art on display but this was my favourite.
This is a watercolour by Doug Hart simply called Whale Rider.
** Click on the photo to enlarge **
I love the style of this artwork. There was no further information displayed near the painting but I assume that this watercolour is based on Whale Rider, initially a novel by Witi Ihimaera and then an excellent movie of the same name was released in 2002. While its very much a New Zealand story, I feel that its a story that would appeal to anyone anywhere. It also provides an insight into life and culture in New Zealand and the tension between old and new, traditional and modern.
Photo taken by Liz Mon 16 July 2018
Further Reading
Otago Art Society Website
— The annual exhibition is due to finish soon, ends 22 July 2018
Text and Photo by Liz; Exploring Colour (2018).
Exploring Colour 
I love the film Whale Rider. It has such a powerful message and like you say, gives a lot of insight into the culture of New Zealand.I think I have seen it three times. This is a lovely artwork as well.
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Thank you Maria… its wonderful you enjoyed it so much and I love it that you enjoy this artwork too!
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It seems for me very powerful, despite the reduction in color. That’s nice!
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Thanks Simone!
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This is beautiful. Wouldn’t it be amazing to ride on the back of a whale, Liz?! The only problem I see is not being able to hold my breath long enough. 🙂
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So amazing that I hadn’t really thought much about it in the personal sense! It would be Tanja! The experience would leave me breathless I’m sure; holding my breath mightn’t be the issue as much as remembering to take it again! Thanks!
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I loved the movie, and I very much like the watercolour too. I liked the setting of the movie, I think on North Island’s East Cape, an area I’ve only visited once but always intended revisiting.
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Great to hear that you loved the movie too! I think I’ve been twice to the East Cape and its very beautiful with a character all its own!
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Very nice!
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Thanks for the comment urzre, its always nice to know what you like 🙂
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Oceans, Seas, Movements~~~!~~~ Always a Gift!
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Thank you, yes, the movements are special in many ways. The breakers and waves (and their sound), the foam, the birds diving for fish, seeing dolphins, the swirling kelp and the shells, driftwood and other interesting bits and pieces tossed up on the sand after a storm. So many gifts!
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Like Poetry~~Nature Is/Teaches!
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We can learn so much from nature. As humans I wish we would learn our lessons better!
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With the Spirit of Unity!
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Unity and Love 🙂 Thank you urzre!
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Love creates all!
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I watched the movie years ago and still have flashbacks from it. It is very powerful.
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I’m so glad you watched it and had that experience of it being very powerful. Thanks for telling me. Whale Rider made a big impression on me as well.
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Beautiful. It reminds me of Canadian Inuit art.
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts Candice. I’m sure I’d enjoy Canadian Inuit art as well in that case. The outline filled-in with patterns style reminds me also of the Gond Art I posted about recently from India. The similarities in tribal art from different countries has become quite interesting to me recently! I don’t know anything about Doug Hart so will have to try and find out more.
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