Art Funded by you

5000 Year Old Whisper

John Ioane, 2006

Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge

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.

More information

Title of artwork, date

5000 Year Old Whisper, 2006

Date supported

2007

Medium and material

Epoxy resin-coated cypress fir totems on steel bases

Dimensions

250 x 20 cm

Grant

2000

Total cost

2581

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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