Commissioned by the construction company behind a Wellington girls school’s latest transformation, this painting celebrates more than bricks and mortar. It honours the wairua of the school—the living, breathing essence of the people who move through it.
Each pīwakawaka (fantail) represents a different part of the community: the curious spark of the students, the steady presence of the teachers, the guiding support of the staff, principal and board, and the ever-present legacy of those who have gone before. Together, they perch and flutter across cairns of stone—symbols of grounding, intention, and the balance needed to nurture growth.
The burgundy slashes echo the striking architecture of the new buildings—bold, modern, and full of momentum—while the surrounding palette draws from the school's own colours, weaving tradition into evolution.
This piece was created to hang in the heart of the school. A joyful reminder that every girl is part of something larger: a lineage of learners, leaders, and leapers. And that every step forward, no matter how small, leaves a ripple of beauty in its wake.
