The Koru Flag and Hundertwasser

The Koru Flag was gifted to New Zealand in 1983 by internationally known artist, architect and environmentalist Friedensreich 'Frederick' Hundertwasser in appreciation of becoming a New Zealand citizen.

The Koru Flag for New Zealand, intended to represent a combination of past heritage and future hope, can fly happily together with the official Blue Ensign without causing any offence.

"No one seeing his design would be surprised at the appearance of a spiral as the artist’s central motif.

What was astonishing was how well that design harmonized with the heritage, spirit and mythology of his adopted country. Hundertwasser’s whole career seemed pre-ordained to create this emblem. Perhaps the latent emblem had been growing in his unconscious and only needed New Zealand’s air and soil to blossom.

The indigenous curling fern exemplified humanity’s harmonious peace with nature. The flag (for so Hundertwasser envisioned the emblem’s use, not so much as a graphic design on paper, but as a standard) would be a symbol of New Zealand’s leadership in a new age.

With great visual economy, the white spiral within the fern’s green recalls the central myth of the Maori (a story that may very well have solid historical foundation): that their ancestors came to the great island by sailing toward a long streaming white cloud which arose in the highlands and drifted continually out to sea."

(from 'Hundertwasser' by Harry Rand)

1928 –- Born Vienna.

1973 – Travelled to New Zealand where he was having an exhibition of his paintings.

1974 -- Painted Conservation Week Poster for NZ and received the Conservation Award.

1983 – Designed Flag for NZ --- the Koru, an unfurled fern.

1990 – Lectured throughout New Zealand for the Living Treasures

1999 - Re-designed public toilets in KawaKawa

Programmes and a 30 minute TV Film production.
Books available on Friedensreich Hundertwasser published by Taschen:

Hundertwasser by Harry Rand.
Hundertwasser – The Power of Art
Hundertwasser architecture.

Website for Koru Flag:---
http://liong-faye.org.nz/koru-flag/

Website for Hundertwasser:---
http://www.kunsthaus-wien.com/

Koru Flags available for flying & display

Extra Large	180cm x 90cm
Large	140cm x 70cm
Medium	90cm x 45cm
Small	45cm x 25cm
Extra Small	15cm x 7cm (with stick)
Extra Small	15cm x 7cm

Prices range from NZ$8 to NZ$120

For more information or purchasing please email, fax or phone us for further details

All inquiries: Faye Tohbyn
P.O. Box 6361, Marion Square, Wellington, N.Z.

Phone: 64-4-383 7225 Fax: 64-4-383 7901

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