A massive white sculpture by Tongan architect Semisi Potauaine will feature in next year’s Headland Sculpture collection on Waiheke Island.
The sculpture, whose Tongan name, Manuesina, translates as white bird, will weigh 4.5 tonnes and cost $NZ60,000.
The work, whose colour symbolises purity and the global spirit, was one of the 34 finalists chosen from 250 entries.
According to headland Sculpture on the Gulf director of Cultural Programmes, Zara Stanhope says the successful proposals came from “a broad spectrum of exceptional artist.”
Potauaine, who is associated with Auckland University’s architecture and design programme, is internationally recognised for his work.
His work ranges from sculpture through weaving and tattoo to graphic design.
In 2010 his work was the subject of the book Tatau: Fenapasi ‘oe Fepaki’ (Tatau: Symmetry, Harmony and Beauty) which also examined the philosophy behind his work.
His work is based on the ‘ta-va theory of reality’, which encompasses Tongan concepts of time and space.
In 2010 he was selected as a Commonwealth Connections International Artist in Residence, only the second Tongan to be appointed to the position.
His work was displayed in the Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology in Cambridge where he created works based on the museum’s Tongan collection.
He told the Western Leader this week that he hoped somebody would buy the sculpture and bring it back to West Auckland.
“It would be best suited for a place like Piha,” he said.
He said the sculpture was based on traditional Tongan geometric shapes.
Headland Sculpture on the Gulf will run from February 3-27 next year.
The biennial exhibition was first held in 2003. It features a display sculptures along a two kilometre coastal walk above Matiatia Bay on Waiheke Island.
More than 55,000 people attended the last event in 2015.
The main points
- A massive white sculpture by Tongan architect Semisi Potauaine will feature in next year’s Headland Sculpture collection on Waikheke Island.
- The sculpture, whose Tongan name, Manuesina, translates as white bird, will weigh 4.5 tonnes and cost $NZ60,000.
- The work was one of the 34 finalists chosen from 250 entries.
- Headland Sculpture on the Gulf director of Cultural Programmes Zara Stanhope said the successful proposals came from “a broad spectrum of exceptional artist.”
For more information
Artists revealed for 2017 headland Sculpture on the Gulf
Titirangi artist’s concept selected for Waiheke Headland Sculpture on the Island (Western Leader)
MAA hosts Semisi Fetokai Potauaine (Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology Cambridge)
Tongan concepts of time and space (Cook Islands News)
