The tree used in my artwork as a metaphor for the female form, beauty, strength, solid, growth & regrowth plus symbolism painted on the trunk representing the whanau (family), butterflies (change/freedom), and the peacock, a symbol for pride. I have seen many other versions of the tree through the eyes of clients, who tell a another story of tragedy, brokenness and sparse growth. I use it in a timeline exercise of their lives. Te Rakau (tree) also has symbolic significance in Te Ao Māori (Māori world, beginning with Te Kakano (the seed) growing into a strong tall whakapapa tree (genealogy tree) with many branches and a foundation grounded in deep roots that bind us to Papatūānuku, our earth mother. On hindsight, looking back on these pieces, it was a time for change depicted by the butterflies stuck in the middle...and it did happen, with a little nudge from above...
