moana – ocean

Moana – the Pacific Ocean surrounds Aotearoa, New Zealand. It is constantly moving and shifting, activated by the moon it influences both our whenua – land and my mark. These marks are an intuitive distillation of moana – ocean.

Growing up surrounded by this ocean, I have experienced both its joy and terror in being swept out to sea windsurfing, broaching while sailing, swimming with dolphins, slalom skiing on silky water, marathon ski racing in rough seas, snorkelling coral reefs overseas.

Aotea is a unique Island northeast of Auckland NZ, a place I retreat to and constantly reference in my works. Using a wider brush the mark is bigger, broader and more powerful, evocative of the ocean itself.

Judi Bagust