Folk Art
I’ve been drawn to European folk art lately for its straightforward worship of nature integrated into daily life and ritual. The
symbolical visual language of that tradition has influenced this body of work.
From: ‘Hex Signs: Sacred & Celestial Symbolism in Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Stars’, By Patrick J. Donmoyer.
Nestled in the rolling hills and valleys of southeastern Pennsylvania, a cultural treasure lies hidden in plain sight. Vibrant
murals of stars, sunbursts, and moons painted in vivid colours punctuate the exteriors of the generously-proportioned
barns of the Pennsylvania Dutch country in a manner that is unique among American artistic traditions.
Complex, geometric, yet deceptively simple, these abstract representations of heavenly bodies once saturated the rural
landscape, and now serve as cultural beacons of the robust and persistent presence of the Pennsylvania Dutch, who
once settled and still maintain a strong presence in the region.
The residents of these quiet rural communities regard the stars as something to be cherished, yet perfectly ordinary —
an agricultural expression of folk art, and as commonplace as eating pie. Nevertheless, for the outside world, the barn
stars, also commonly called hex signs, have captured the American imagination as generations of visitors to the region
marvel at the seamless integration of art into the agrarian countryside.
Just as humanity has marvelled at the stars in the sky throughout history, and sought some sense of meaningful
interpretation of their order and light, so too have these folk art depictions of the stars evoked a sense of wonder in all
who behold them.
For the Pennsylvania Dutch they are part of the fabric of life, but for those from outside of the community, the stars are
thought to be representative of that which is otherworldly, mysterious, or supernatural.

Philosophy/Theology
Franz Anton Staudenmaier (1800 -1856) was a German Catholic theologian and philosopher.
From his book ‘The Spirit of Christianity exhibited in sacred Seasons, sacred Actions and sacred Art’ 1838.
The following passage – on the symbolical language of flowers.
‘On the earth, too, in infinite numbers, shine forth the flowers, the gracious children of the spring, decked out in all the
brilliancy of colours, while they shed their soft balmy breath like incense though the air. And these lovely children, O
youth, have they never addressed thee in a soft, tender voice? Oh, assuredly God hath given to them a language to
address us; and the language of flowers was ever, for reflective minds, a beautiful tongue’.
‘But this mysterious sense which everywhere pervades, and manifests itself, through all creation, what is it else than a
sense of the Eternal and the Divine? All flowers – those luminous stars sown in the grass – are, like the stars above

them, letters for the great name of the Eternal, which mortals cannot utter nor pronounce. Each manifests to thee His
omnipotence, wisdom, goodness and love; each is a gentle revelation of the Deity’.
‘And as thou, youth, hast a divine principle within thee, and by this divine principle canst recognise, seek, revere, and
love the God who hath given it to thee; so have these flowers, in particular, much to say to thee. Contemplate their
innocent nature, their still existence, their calm workings according to eternal laws; and consider, moreover, how lovingly
they turn to the sun, how humbly they bow before him, to imbibe strength, and rigour, and life from his rays, and to
borrow all their lustre from the splendour of his beams. The great sun, divine love, hath given them to us to excite
corresponding love in our breasts, as they themselves, in love and joy, turn to the sun, the source of all light’.

Stoicism
The Stoic philosophers suggest upon waking in the morning, to think of the rising sun, the stars, and your small space
and brief time within the whole cosmos. They ask that you contemplate the stars themselves. Think of their purity,
consistency and nakedness, symbolic of humans living with wisdom, virtue and simplicity.

Josh Bashford 

Galu/wave

Galu / wave – take care, be gentle and be aware of the waves. High swell conditions: your fishing trip is gonna be a complete blow out or a complete success. This is life. The importance of the checking of weather conditions, swell map, using your head and reading the weather correctly are vital. Tuning in, dialling oneself in. Your day out to fish on the water or hunt in the hills either brings home the goods or is just another nice good-to-get-out-and-get-some-fresh-air sunshine trip. The constant observation of weather patterns, wind direction, wave height, tide timings, water clarity and relational patterns of people hammering certain hunting/ fishing grounds – this all must be taken into consideration before going on a kai-gathering mission. The highs and lows of life often depend on the weather lining up to gather and secure a bountiful harvest. This has a tremendous effect on people, family, friends and community. Waves of joy are greatly felt by many because of the beautiful quality food that has been lovingly secured to fill many hungry bellies, all brought about by massive mahi and beating the waves.

Harvest. Inflation rises, trouble brews time to plant. Gardening- digging, planting, potatoes and kale. Chasing bad birds away the pesky black bird and sparrow, admiring the Tui, bellbird, wood pigeon, hawk, quail and fantail. Fellowship, sharing, playing guitar, lyrical singing reading the bible with friends and prayer. All crucial in my art making process. Growing and waiting, waiting, and growing.