IOANE IOANE

Malosi, 2021
Totara wood, varnish
550 x 550 x 1000mm
Price on request

Malosi - Jewels, 2021
Totara wood, varnish
450 x 600 x 600mm
Price on request

Malosi - Jewels is proudly presented in association with Whitespace Gallery

Ioane’s multi-disciplinary practice involves sculpture, painting, installation and performance and reveals how the past informs current behaviour, expectations and obligations. His artistic output is thus rich with meaning and firmly rooted in Samoan culture, where ‘the va’ is the guiding principle. The va is a place of affirmation, the spiritual space between two cultures, between people and the environment, the connections between past and present.

Ioane talks of returning to his birthplace of Samoa after a 50 year absence; “coming back to my roots, practising the language, connecting with my ancestors and family back there had a profound impact on me.” Here he realised why he had always been drawn to maritime projects, with this profound connection to the ocean.

Ioane’s 2002 installation at the Auckland City Art Gallery, Fale Sa, included 500 carved cowry shells and three wooden totems, shown with a watery audio-lightscape. Malosi (Samoan for strength) evolves from this work. Cowry shells are of great importance in many cultures as currency, decoration and a symbol of strength, usually interpreted as male strength. Here, Malosi celebrates the strength of women from childhood through maturity to old age. Ioane comments: “‘Malosi’ is most often seen, or portrayed, as the physicality of the male . . . The reality of soul-strength lies predominantly in women. If men are receptive, they too can find the strength of their women ancestors - the woman-spirit in all. Why else would nature be ‘mother’?” 

The coiled energy and calm presence of these carved totara forms as  they sit beside the watery expanse of the lake, are grounded in the artist’s past, drawing strength and offering the possibility of transformation and growth. The smaller, darker of the two shells is dedicated to a dear friend of the artist and is called Jewels.