Images:

Flora top boarder: Ngaio Tree – This represents the story of ‘Rona and the Moon’.

I wanted to include this design as a way to bring another story/myth of a woman and her connection to the darkness.

Flower in Hine Nui’s hair: Deadly Night shade or Atropa belladonna – It seemed an obvious choice as the flower of which the great Hine-Nui-Te-Po would adorn her hair with.

Kowhaiwhai (scroll design): Rautawa-ngutukaka- A design that includes two different native flora elements, bringing a touch of contemporary and traditional Maori decorative design into a work which has been inspired by Art Nouveau. The pillar in which the kowhaiwhai design sits represents the operatic houses.

Carpe Noctum: ‘Seize the Night’ – Carpe diem is translated as ‘seize the day’ meaning to make the most of the time you are given. I have chosen to change the day to night but for its meaning to remain the same.

Morepork or Ruru: A small brown, nocturnal owl found throughout New Zealand.

The Masks: Representing dramatic performance. The masks are the traditional generic division between comedy and tragedy.