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Overview
This print was made by Ralph Ako, a printmaker and carver from Bareho Islands, Marovo, West Province, Solomon Islands. The print depicts a Toto Isu or Nguzunguzu, an anthropomorphic figure head originally lashed to the bow of the canoe. Nguzuguzu were secured to the prow of every departing war canoe to protect them from kesokeso (water spirits) and ensure their safe passage. Ako is a professional carver and his prints draws extensively on his knowledge of traditonal carving designs and techniques.
Paper and Printmaking Project
Ralph Ako was one of the inaugural artists involved in the Paper and Printmaking Project in the Solomon Islanders organised by New Zealander Chris Delany. The initial project to make paper and prints as a way of encouraging villagers to establish small sustainable revenue generating projects. Chri had experience working with Volunteer Service Abroad and had lived in the Solomon Islands working primarily with women’s groups.
Delany organised a pilot project in Balai village in August 1994, where villagers experimented with making paper from banana leaf and other local tree and plant fibres. Later, and to add value to the paper products, she introduced the villagers to New Zealand based artist Michel Tuffery who ran a workshop on woodblock printing techniques.The locally inspired designs proved popular in the tourist market. The artists used the profits to improve buildings in the community, support the payment of school fees and market the artworks locally and overseas.
In 1996, Delany replicated the paper and print making project in two other villages in the Marovo Lagoon, Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Individual artists, some of whom were very skilled carvers, went on to exhibit and sell their work internationally. Similar paper and print making projects were later established in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
Acquisition History
Ako designed this wood block in 2014 while he was studying for a Diploma of Art at Manukau Institute of Technology. Te Papa acquired this print in 2015.