Oil on canvas 75 cm x 60 cm US$ 900 (NZ $ 1500)
Graphic pale maroon and black make wonderful frame for the sleek orca leaping up with a plume of water out of the dark tinted glass, complimented by the dark maroon cherries next to it.
Orcas often swim around Wellington and a visiting family pod lost a young adventurous orca, who got separated from his mother and trapped in a rock pool. He was rescued and moved to a seawater pool, cared for day and night by a grew of willing rescue workers and volunteers who fed him and kept him company round the clock, while rescue crews searched up and down the coast for his family pod, hoping to reunite them. He was named Toa, which is Maori for “warrior” and became deeply loved for his friendly personality. Sadly, he died almost two weeks later. This is a tribute to the Warrior and his people. Long may Orcas swim in our seas!
