Virginia King

1992

Private Collections. 
Studio image.

I made the 'Tree of Life' series after the death of my mother in Kaikoura. They were inspired by forms of seaweed, fish and bird bones found on that rugged Kaikoura coast.

Each work has an individual, spiritual presence and I intended them to be ancestral figures that eased the sense of loss. At the time I was moved by the Black Elk American Indian quote that I felt could also reference a mother's supportive role:

'It shall stand at the centre of a nation’s circle, a stick to walk with and a people's heart'.

Dimensions: Height 1800mm x Width 550mm x Depth 150mm

Materials: Salvaged kauri, pine and acrylic stain, lead inlays.