Iosefa
is from Samoa and arrived in New Zealand in 1987. He is a self-taught
artist and began carving in 1989. Early in his artistic career
he attended and participated in stone sculpture symposia in
Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. He has exhibited regularly
in these events since 1990.
He was guest exhibitor at the 7th Pacific Festival of Arts,
Samoa 1996 and was featured in "Speaking in Colour: in Te
Papa publication on Pacific Artists in New Zealand.
Iosefa's work is predominantly figurative and Mt Somers limestone
has been his preferred medium. But more recently he has worked
also in marble and wood. The strong influence of Damoan family
traditions of love and spirituality are naturally reflected
in his work -- all significant of close observation of Pacific
life. The balance between physicality and emotion is expressed
in the forms he creates -- giving close attention to a fine
finish in his work.
Familiar to those who visit the Quarry would be his 'Quarry
Seat' , inspired by the sense of the place it occupies, inviting
people to relax with it and look around and enjoy the creativity
of the space.
Losefa is married with two children and lives in Marlborough.
Text by Desmond Ford
sculpture
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