Description
See in this piece, Lighting the Way Encounter 1 Waka Huia, a symbol of high esteem, the Huia, was a large mainly black songbird, with long white-tipped tail feathers that were worn in the hair on top of the head show a person’s great mana. The feathers were passed down through generations and kept in a decorated carved wooden waka Huia or papa hou.
In the early 19th century, the Huia were found in central North Island, Aotearoa New Zealand. However, the English desire for exotic birds for display saw them being hunted and traded. Since the Huia would pair for life, the death of a mate would end that generational line. The relentless hunting resulted in the extinction of the Huia.
Original limited art print created by Karol Wilczynska and Alan Te Morenga Litchfield, exhibited at IMPACT 10 Conference and Exhibition in Santander,
Spain, 2018.
The artwork is printed:
- On a large format vacuum silk screen unit and a large intaglio press.
- Stock: Fabriano Disegno 5, 300gm hot press paper.
- 4 colour inks: blue, white, red, black with fade resistant Permaprint ink.
- 2 metallic foils: silver, gold.






