“Ruru in the Pacific Bush” by John Bevan Ford
Beautiful painting by the late great contemporary Maori artist John Bevan Ford.
The eyes of the owl, European name (morepork), Māori name (ruru), have been the mythological inspiration for the practice of adding glaring eyes of figures carved in human forms. These eyes are often made from paua shell.
In Maori culture and mythology the owl is believed to originate from the underworld. Hence its strong link with the spirit world.
An example of such beliefs; when a ruru is seen keeping itself near or in a house it is though to foreshadow the death in the family.
This belief led some Taranaki Maori to eating Morepork, believing that it would extend their lives.
John Bevan Ford (1930-2005) was one of New Zealand’s best known Maori artists.
Lauded for his distinct style using colored inks and liquid acrylic his work was inspired by his own mixed heritage.
Apart from paintings Ford also made sculptures, weaved, and practiced traditional wood carving.
Best known for his paintings, the renowned artist was inspired by traditional carving patterns, especially by the form and structure of the hand-woven Maori flax cloak.
He viewed the cloak as an all-encompassing metaphor for landscape, migration and mythology.
As the son of a mother of Maori and Welsh descent and a father of English and German descent John was also interested in the wider connections between peoples and cultures.
This painting of an owl from 2007 is titled: Ruru in the Pacific Bush.
