Faga Ofe E'a 1
Date1998
Object number00009439
NameSculpture
MediumAluminium, tin, rivets
DimensionsOverall: 1200 x 355 x 2120 mm, 10 kg
Copyright© Michel Tuffery
ClassificationsArt
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis contemporary fish sculpture represents the Pacific Island ceremony to Tangaroa, the Polynesian god of the ocean and fishermen, to whom everyone gives due respect when fishing or sailing on the sea. Tangaroa often took pleasure in sinking canoes, flooding the land and eating up the shoreline. It offers a comment on the increasing dependence of Pacific Islanders on tinned food brought about by globalisation and dwindling fish stocks.HistoryThis colourful and dynamic aluminium stylised sculpture of a yellowfin tuna – titled Faga Ofe E’a I – by New Zealand born and based artist Michel Tuffery was used in a ceremony performed in November 1998 which included traditional fire dancing and music as an act of propitiation to the gods for the seasonal harvest of coral worms.
It is created from aluminium tins – of fish and beef – that have been flattened and joined together with dozens of rivets. An internal tube through which gas is sent is lit to give the impression of a fire-breathing fish. This flame-spewing kinetic marine creature is full of vitality and allows Tuffery to explore the traditions of the Pacific region in a contemporary and seriously dynamic way. The use of food cans is two-fold – to highlight how the introduction of imported food items has become part of traditional island life, and the necessity of canned fish due to over-fishing in the Pacific.
Part performance and part sculpture this work was central to a fiery performance of oceanic dancing and drumming that evoked the teachings of the mythological Tangaroa, the Polynesian god of the ocean and sea creatures. This sea-god features in many Pacific mythologies and everyone gives him due respect when fishing or sailing on the sea. In Maori mythology when people go to sea to fish or to travel, they are representatives of the god Tane (brother to Tangaroa and god of forests) who is also Tangaroa’s enemy. Tangaroa often took pleasure in sinking canoes, flooding the land and eating up the shoreline. It was important that offerings were made to him before setting out, in the hope that he would allow safe passage.
This work was an integral part of the artist’s exhibition, O le Vasa ma le Laloa – The Wide and Deep Ocean as an event in the 1998 Pacific Wave Festival at Hogarth Gallery in Sydney, a celebration and investigation of contemporary trends in art and cultural life of the Pacific. This sculptural piece confirms the essentialism of traditional beliefs and practices in the contemporary culture of Polynesian peoples of Oceania and culturally it draws upon the importance of food and feasting in Pacific societies. The social relationships created are just as important to the maintenance of traditional culture.
Collaboration is a key to the success of Tuffery’s performances and he especially works with young people and South Sea Islanders, teaching them artistic techniques which allow their own self-expression to emerge. In particular he teaches the use of readily available materials – debris, flotsam and jetsam, recyclable packaging and natural fibres – to create and represent the rich current urban and island history so interconnected with the old traditions.
Based in New Zealand, Michel Tuffery is of Samoan, Cook Islands and Tahitian heritage and his artistic works are centred on the conservation of the environment, shaped by his Pacific ancestry. His works encourage discussion about universal issues – environmental damage, the changes in lifestyles of Pacific islanders and the long-term impact of colonisation on Indigenous cultures.
In Samoa faga’ofe are homemade bamboo cannon which, when fuelled and fired up, shoot out flames and emit very loud bangs; and the black soot marks on this sculpture attest to the fact that it is indeed a fire-breathing fish!
SignificanceThis sculptural piece confirms the way in which traditional Pacific beliefs are part of the contemporary culture of Polynesian people of Oceania and is a social comment on the over-fishing of Pacific Ocean stocks.
