By Raeleen Van Aalst
This painting pays tribute to the Wairaka Statue in Whakatāne, serving as a homage to the renowned Lady on the Rock statue. It is widely acknowledged as an emblem of our region and was revealed at the Whakatāne Heads in 1965 as a commemoration to Sir William Sullivan's wife. Sir Sullivan played a pivotal role in the development of Whakatāne throughout the 20th century.
The impressive bronze statue stands atop Turuturu Rock, positioned at the mouth of the Whakatāne River, and serves as a memorial to Wairaka, the courageous daughter of Toroa, who was the captain-navigator of the Mataatua waka. By employing van Gogh-inspired swirling brush strokes, this painting aims to capture the essence of the original artwork, resulting in an enjoyable and visually stunning creation.
This painting motif is the property of Paintvine. Unauthorized duplication or reproduction is prohibited. Written permission from Paintvine is required to reproduce or use these unique designs. All enquiries related to rights and permissions should be directed to hello@paintvine.co.nz
