Thursday, 16 May 2013

‘Death of a Moa’ by Trevor Lloyd

Here’s a NZ landscape painter from the 19th Century with a sense of humour: Trevor Lloyd. (Do you see it?)  The Auckland Art Gallery apparently has a huge collection of his work, but rarely let it see the light of day.

About this one they say:

Made for the enjoyment of his family, this unique fantasy painting is one of Lloyd's most ambitious works. The last giant moa has fallen, its body watched over by a gathering of native birds and patupaiarehe, mythic Maori fairy folk. The cacophony of squawks and cries is almost audible. Lloyd captures the personalities of the various birds: the pukeko, a little stand-offish, looks on inquisitively; the gregarious kea shares the news with a late arrival still in flight; and the kakapo, notoriously shy and retiring, sits on the outer edge of the group. ('Enduring Nature: Hoki Atu Hoki Mai,' 2004)

1 comment:

gregster said...

There looks like a head on the mid left, and midsection above the blue bird a skull can be imagined. Or I'm mad.