The mānuka flower is endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand, while in the Philippines, hair holds deep cultural significance. In this piece, I wanted to bring the two together. Mānuka honey has become a huge global industry - often exploited and commercialized, even by figures like the Kardashians. To imagine the mānuka being stripped from a woman’s hair is to picture the ultimate insult, a metaphor for how capitalism severs cultural roots and turns sacred symbols into profit.

The larger scale makes it a true focal point, commanding presence on the wall while offering subtle details up close.

18×24” canvas size (frame is 1-2" on top of the canvas size)

Acrylic, oil and pencil on treated canvas.
Framed in dark oak Toronto made frame and ready to hang.
They are each unique pieces from Jacqueline May from the group show ‘Four Play’.