Kanaloa

72 x 57 cm. Hand embroidered appliqué on short pile chenille. £5,950

The octopus has extraordinary powers. Not only is it a master shape-shifter, able to thread its entire body through any gap big enough for its eyeball, but it changes colours faster than a chameleon. Chromatophores in the octopus’ skin change the pigmentation and also the way the skin reacts to light. The octopus becomes reflective or irridescent, according to the situation: does it need to communicate courtship or aggression, does it need to absorb or reflect more heat, does it need to camouflage itself from predators or prey? It can even change the texture of its skin to suit the circumstances; smooth or warty, ridged or silky.

The Hawaiians respect the octopus as a manifestation of Kanaloa, one of the four principal gods in their mythology. Protector of fishermen, lord of the deep, of medicine and magic, Kanaloa’s association with the god Kane reflects the balance between chaos and order, creation and transformation. After I had finished this piece, I was fascinated to discover that the Eye of Kanaloa is a symbol (like an eight-spoked wheel) representing interconnectedness and harmony.

And what about the little seahorse? It has astonishingly few predators, being so bony; in fact there’s only one species of crab it really has to worry about. My feeling here is of a benign encounter between ocean dwellers, an exchange of wisdom, or tales from the deep. The magic and the healing is mysterious, and mutual.

Framed by yacht builder Tony Williams, my father.

Price: £5,950

The 8cm deep box frame is built from solid sapele wood, a sustainable species of mahogany. The art glass filters out 70% UV, to protect the piece from fading. I have signed the piece on the back.

Name plate provided for you to fix front or back, as you wish.