11/05/2026
Tokelaufeletoa Rangitoto, 2023 - Kulimoe'anga Stone Maka
From the exhibtion 'MONO', 29/4 - 23/5/26
Maka’s starting point is the black tapa of Tonga, cloth historically made for royalty.
As described in the writing for the accompanying tapa work 'Monosi', the concept of mono is likened to that of collage. Painted pieces of mono are layered across the tapa piecing together forms, symbols and motifs: the line or 'halakafa', dense dark forms, groupings of circles.
Smoke was one of the materials used on the original black tapa of Tonga, collected over hours from burning candlenut seeds and mixed with coconut oil to form a dense, black ink. The black tapa of Tonga, cloth historically made for royalty, this has become Maka’s starting point.
Where one might imagine a towering black canvas to be an overwhelming or ominous monolithic figure, 'Tokelaufeletoa Rangitoto' appears as something more alluring. It invites viewers to draw closer, to move across its plane. The way the black base catches light brings forth the texture of the work, its material nature and the influence of the hands that crafted it.
Tokelaufeletoa Rangitoto, 2023
4100 x 3030mm
dye, indian ink and oil on tapa
For more information about the exhibition or enquiries about the works, please visit joanthansmartgallery.com
Installation images by Owen Spargo .spargo
