Artist friends honour sculptor Tonga Bill |17 July 2010
Though not a Seychellois, Tonga Bill became absorbed by the place and willingly shared his experience with several island boys who showed a keen interest.
Some of them, such as Léon Bacco, Georgie Constance, Sybert Radegonde and Slim William, have chiselled their way to be ranked among the country’s top sculptors, thanks to the training from Tonga Bill.
Another well-established local artist who worked alongside Tonga Bill is George Camille, who describes him as a primary influence in creating a distinct body of work not only quite different from that by any other Seychellois artist but also quite different from earlier work by Camille himself.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the sculptor’s death on July 9, Mr Camille – who owns the Kaz Zanana art gallery in Victoria – and Tonga Bill’s widow Nicole are hosting a memorial exhibition of his work.
The pieces on display are all collectors’ items, contributed by their owners for the special occasion.
The exhibition was launched on Friday last week in the presence of Minister for Social Development and Culture Bernard Shamlaye and French ambassador to Seychelles Philippe Delacroix among other guests.
Also present were Kaulave Fehoko – Tonga Bill’s brother – and his wife Lolo and son Viliami, who travelled all the way from Tonga especially for the occasion.
Mrs Fehoko portrayed her late husband as very outgoing and kind-hearted. Through his
She explained that he adopted La Digue as his second home because daily life on the small island is similar to that on Tonga. She described him as being instrumental in introducing wood carving to the island and later to the whole country.
As for his artistic influences, Mrs Fehoko said her husband was inspired by the work of English sculptor Henry Moore. This, she said, is apparent in a large number of his works portraying abstract female forms, mostly mother-and-child groups.
She added that Tonga Bill also had a passion for the sea, especially fishing and boat building.
Mr Camille’s first encounter with Tonga Bill was during an exhibition they both took part in. He explained that they started a professional relationship, which turned out to a friendly one, shortly afterwards.
Tonga Bill later used Mr Camille’s new gallery on La Digue as an outlet for his sculptures, but instead of selling them the owner bought almost all of them as he loved them so much.
He also explained that they had similar thinking vis-à-vis their artwork as they both invited the viewer to collaborate with them in setting up personal meanings for each piece.
After spending almost two years working with Tonga Bill, sculptor Slim William – who was also at the launch – described his experience as very fruitful. He said his instructor was highly skilled and always ready to share whatever he knew.
Tonga Bill can simply be described as a man who loved his Bible and who made pieces of wood sing the music of humanity.
“I create to satisfy myself and obviously it adds to my joy as an artist if viewers can share my excitement and love,” he always said.
Tonga Bill died in Reunion in 2000 and – as was his long-time wish – he was buried on La Digue.
The exhibition will remain open until July 31.
Roland Duval