The First Missionary

This piece is inspired by Maori art. The first missionaries arrived in New Zealand in 1814.The country was inhabited by the fiercely tribal Maoris,who had in 1809 killed and eaten 70 sailors and crew from a trading vessel after they had insulted one of their chiefs.The aim of the first missionaries was to "gain the attention of these heathens and correct their vagrant habits" Samuel Marsden ,the first missionary, stated after experiencing their culture"the natives are far advanced in civilisation and apparently prepared for receiving the Knowledge of Christianity more than any Savage nation I have seen.The more I see of these people the more appear like a superior Race of men" This is how I see the First Missionary at his arrival in New Zealand.