Eileen Mayo
England / Australia / Aotearoa New Zealand, b.1906, d.1994
Kārearea / New Zealand Falcon
- 1976
- Gouache and coloured pencil
- Purchased, 2005
- 120 x 94mm
- 2005/014
Tags: animals, birds (animals)
Small, fierce and fearless, the kārearea (New Zealand falcon) is a formidable hunter. Beneath an overhanging rocky ledge, Eileen Mayo’s bird is alert and poised, talons clamped around its captured prey and gaze fixed on the surrounding landscape. The kārearea is capable of diving at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour in pursuit of live prey, striking with remarkable speed and precision. Despite its hunting prowess, the kārearea is threatened by habitat loss, introduced predators and human persecution. Endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, and with a wild population smaller than that of the kiwi, it is one of the country’s rarest birds of prey.
(Bird Land: Te Kāhui Manu 15 August 2026 – 8 February 2027)
Exhibition History
Ape To Zip: Adventures in Alphabet Art, 13 May 2005 – 8 October 2006
In the exhibition Ape to Zip (13 May 2005 - 8 October 2006), this work was one of five used for the letter K and was displayed with the following label:
These paintings were made for a set of Gregg's Jelly cards, ‘Rare and Endangered Birds of New Zealand'. 35 cards were collected in an album, encouraging young New Zealanders to appreciate our precious bird life.
How many of these birds' names did you already know? Two of them also live on $1 and $2 coins!
Related
Notes
Eileen Mayo
It's 107 years since this multi-talented artist, described by art historian Kenneth Clark as 'outstandingly good', was born in Norwich, England.