Charles and Janice Williams are accomplished urban artists. As part of a crew called TMD (The Most Dedicated), the couple specializes in portrayals of Māori heritage. This mural entitled The Messenger was created in 2017 as part of the Paradox Tauranga Street Art Festival. This owl is called Ruru or Morepork. The bird is often featured in Māori folklore. Sometimes the owl is associated with the underworld as predictors of death. Other times they are a spiritual guardian (kaitiaki). If you look closely at Māori wood carvings, you will notice they often have wide eyes resembling an owl.
