Mārama Whetū; Starlight

Five years ago I departed from the tranquil embrace of the Marlborough Sounds, feeling uncertain about my path. In March 2023 I returned, ready to embark on a solo journey across the length of Te Waipounamu, the South Island of Aotearoa. This 1300 km trail winds through secluded coves, lofty mountain passes, dense forests, and countless braided river crossings.

I created this image to contemplate the essence of letting go and embracing fresh starts. In te ao Māori (the Māori worldview), stars are not just distant specks of light; they are revered as ancestors. Beneath the celestial tapestry, I find myself lost in the vast expanse, yet comforted by the presence of my tipuna (ancestors) watching over me.

Medium: Photograph composite

Weightless # 05
Mārama Whetū is part of an ongoing collection that reflects the essence of weightlessness found within the higher altitudes of mountains and the depths of the ocean.