Painting + Philosophy
Fiji
For more than three decades I have painted at the meeting point of ancient esoteric symbolism and Fijian cultural motifs. This site is a working archive of that work: the series, the exhibitions, and the writing that sits beside the paintings.
Each series opens to a grid of works with title, medium, dimensions and an enquire link. Works that are available link through to NDINA Gallery.
Self-taught, with maternal links to Matuku in the Lau Group and paternal connections to Aotearoa New Zealand. My work has been exhibited across the Asia-Pacific and Europe, and selected for international biennales in Bangladesh, New Caledonia and Italy.
My practice grew from the Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture and Pacific Studies at the University of the South Pacific, which I joined in 1998, and from the Red Wave Collective, of which I am a founding member. A Commonwealth Arts & Crafts Award in 2007 led to a Master's scholarship in Painting and Design at the University of Dhaka. Years of research across Bangladesh, India and Nepal widened the visual language I paint with.
I founded the Volasiga Collective and co-founded the Viti Association of Visual Arts to support collaboration and mentor emerging artists. I live with my family near Vanuakula Village in Naitasiri.
The Crown of Wisdom, University of the South Pacific, 2015. Reflections on art and philosophy drawn from years of personal writing.
[Add poems or essays here]