Filipe Tohi

Welcome to the official website of Filipe Tohi. The work within this website are all created by Filipe through his years as a sculptor(Ta Fotunga).

My work is based upon the ancient Pacific Island art form of lalava(lashing) that was used for joining and binding materials together. Meters of colored sennit(kafa) were wound and tied so as to create distinct geometric patterns that were a well -established part of daily life. I believe lalava patterns were a mnemonic device for representing a life philosophy.

Lalava patterns advocated balance in daily living and were metaphorical and physical ties to cultural knowledge.

By changing the scale of lines I seek to intrigue the viewer with a manipulation of space and pattern, introducing them to a "first level" and creating a desire to discover more about what they see.

My work transforms the technology of the past into a modern representation of idendity and experience. By using the patterns establised by lalava, I express a Polynesian heritage with metaphors for that speak to the entire community.