The work consists of three totem poles covered in epoxy resin including the Tangaroa mask, a recurring motif in Ioane's work.

Tangaroa is the god of the sea and the ocean is an important aspect of Pacific culture. They address the concept of guardianship and also the changing context for Polynesian in Western society - literally whited out. Born in New Zealand of Samoan descent, John Ioane has developed an interplay in his work between the spirit of traditional Samoa and the culture of contemporary New Zealand.

Provenance

The artist; The Whitespace Art Gallery, Auckland.


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