Postcard Aoraki - Mount Cook

Original Painting by Paula Coulthard
Acrylic Paint & cotton applique on cotton canvas

Approx size 22cm x 13cm

"My flag paintings try to capture or resonate with our emotional connection to place. I love the way there is timelessness in our landscapes. The landforms are recognisable even with the addition or subtraction of trees and buildings."

"My processes are very tactile. I stone wash and age the canvas I am painting on to relax it and give it life. My landscapes are often suggestive but still very recognisable. Sometimes the paintings symbolise an event that exists in memories of the landscape, real or imagined."

The New Zealand flag has its own history and is loaded with political, emotional and historic meaning. This excerpt from: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/flags-of-new-zealand

The New Zealand flag is the symbol of the realm, government and people of New Zealand. Its royal blue background is derived from the ensign of the Blue Squadron of the Royal Navy. The stars of the Southern Cross emphasise this country's location in the South Pacific Ocean. The Union Jack in the first quarter recognises New Zealand's historical origins as a British colony and dominion. The New Zealand flag hasn't always been our official flag. Although widely used since 1869, it was only formally adopted in 1902 amidst the pomp and patriotism of the South African War. For six decades before that, the Union Jack fluttered from New Zealand's flagpoles. But even that wasn't our first flag. Between 1834 and 1840, the Flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand was recognised as the first 'national' flag of these islands. New Zealand has a number of other official flags, including the maritime red and white ensigns and flags symbolising the Queen and the Governor General. Waitangi Day 2010 saw the first official recognition of the national Māori flag, which flew alongside the New Zealand flag on the Auckland Harbour Bridge, Parliament, the Beehive, and other government buildings. In 2016, for the first time, New Zealanders voted on their flag. The options were the current New Zealand flag and the Silver Fern (Black, White and Blue) design which had been selected from among five designs in a referendum in 2015. Nearly 57% of voters opted for the current flag.

This from: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/taming-the-frontier/united-tribes-flag

New Zealand’s first official flag was the flag of the United Tribes. It was selected on 20 March 1834 by 25 chiefs from the Far North who, with their followers, had gathered at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. Missionaries, settlers and the commanders of 13 ships were also present. The official British Resident, James Busby, made a speech and then asked each chief to come forward in turn and select a flag from three possibilities. The son of one of the chiefs recorded the votes. A flag based on the St George’s cross that was already used by the Church Missionary Society.