Context (Other)
Born in Christchurch New Zealand of Samoan descent, John Ioane (b.1962) develops in his work an interplay between the spirit of traditional Samoa and the culture of contemporary New Zealand. He describes his work as a type of poetry that draws on various forms of creative expression from painting, sculpture, installation and relational aesthetics.
Ioane's first major solo exhibition at the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki in 1999. In 2009 Whangarei Art Museum presented John Ioane: Journeyman, Artist and the Pacific Paradox, the first major survey of Ioane’s work.
Ioane has exhibited extensively in New Zealand and internationally and has works in major collections in
Event Date 2006
Author: rachel hand

Context (Acquisition Details)
Purchased from the Whitespace Gallery and funded by the the Art Fund
Event Date 2006
Author: rachel hand

Context (Production / use)
The three works were made in January 2006. They are part of ten pieces that made up a larger installation, also called the 5000 Year Old Whisperer, the remaining seven of which are in private collections.
Event Date 2006
Author: rachel hand

Context (Display)
Exhibited NZ Sculpture OnShore, Fort Takapuna Historic Reserve, Vauxhall Road, Devonport, New Zealand, 3 -12 November 2006.
NZ Sculpture OnShore is an outside parkland venue at the iste of this 19th century naval fort. The NZ Sculpture OnShore is significant fundraiser for women's refuges around New Zealand.
Event Date 3/11/2006
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Cyprus fir wood sculpture ‘5000 Year Old Whisper by John Ioane, 2006 consisting of three "totems" coated in white marine grade paint.

Event Date 6/2/2024
Author: rachel hand