November 2003
d'Elaine Johnson
Ancestors 52”x 56” 2002 Acrylic
The Maori carved ancestor figures of persons who were to be remembered and who were to become protectors. After the death of an important chief, a tribe's canoe might be broken as a sign of mourning and part of it set up as a monument. As I lay, down in the underworld Our souls were crowding about me, Coming near, coming close to my side. Suddenly I woke, and sprang up. Thrust back into the world, I stared about in vain - Ah, like spirits they had faded away! O my heart at rest, rise up, beating!
