Manuēsina (White Bird and White Angel)
2017
steel and polymer
14,000 x 1,560 mm (variable)
…”I noticed this bird trapped in your imagination, so set it free”…
Restoring Balance
Manuēsina metaphorically interrogates our understanding of our world. Manuēsina extends our collective glimpses into our surroundings, defining a deeper understanding of our common links. Manuēsina reflects Tāmaki Makaurau, as one of the biggest capital cities of the Pacific and echoes aspects of its unique knowledge, thinking, and practice. The sculpture’s form reflects this very unique cultural understanding.
Manuēsina is an artwork of tufunga tongi poliukamea (polymer-steel cutting) and is based on the old Tongan kupesi manulua (two-birds-flying). The constant movement between abstraction and representation is a permanent motion between time and space, and also between form and content. As with all of Sēmisi’s work, Manuēsia is therefore, four dimensional.
Manuēsina resonates across cultures, seeking to bring new light to the plight of environmental, psychological and social conflicts that enslave us in our everyday lives. Knowledge is contained in culture, communicated in language, and enlightens our self-awareness.
Kupesi Vakafonolei - Whale-tooth-engraved-canoe Model
2010.
Tufunga langafale (House-building)
But despite his sense of powerlessness, he is more than determined to
conquer all barriers, including death (verse 2, lines 3-4). While his anguish
is felt inside with unbearable pain he is nevertheless set to accomplish
his mission, never to extinguish his undying passion (verse 3, lines 1-2).
Yet again, the poet is helplessly faced with an increasingly insurmountable
hardship (verse 3, lines 3-4). Although pessimistic, by continuing to
raise these questions is for him a realistic means out of his deep dilemma
(chorus, lines 1-4).
Lei`ataua - Bi Twin Shadows
2010
Painted MDF wood
2.5m high, 350kg
Tufunga tatongitongi (sculpture)
Sēmisi standing next to Lei`ataua during his Introductory Talk on Tatau: Fenapasi `oe Fepaki, and Front and Back views. At the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding
Ava`uli - Blackhole, Pekepekaniume - Alum Swallow Bird & Aavanoa - Zerohole
2010
Gallery installation of Tufunga takupesi (Graphic design) & Tufunga takohikupesi (sculptural drawing), at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding
Fataniume- Alum Death Omen Bird
2010
Laser cut aluminium
Tufunga takohikupesi (sculptural drawing)
At the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding
Ava`uli - Blackhole
2010
Tufunga takupesi (graphic design), at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding
Tatau: Fenapasi `oe Fepaki -
Tatau: Symmetry, Harmony & Beauty
2010
The eight pieces created during Semisi’s residency at MAA.
Tufunga takupesi (graphic design), tufunga tatongitongi (sculpture), tufunga takohikupesi (sculptural drawing), at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK.
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding
Avakula & Mataniume -
Redhole & Alum Eye
2010
Tufunga takupesi (graphic design) and Tufunga takohikupesi (sculptural drawing)
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding
Mataniume - Alum Eye
2010
Tufunga takohikupesi (sculptural drawing)
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding
Kupesi Fata`uli - Black-pallbearer Design
2009
Tufunga tatongitongi (sculpture)
Photograph by Jocelyne Dudding