One of the pioneers of Tengenenge, and the last remaining
first generation sculptor (along with his wife) at Tengenenge. He moved to
Tengenenge in 1967, a year after Tom Blomefield founded the site. Even during
the war years, Josia remained in Tengenenge even while many artists left to
find safer places to stay (including Tom Blomefield). He switched from being a
builder to becoming a sculptor because there was less money in building as
there were so many around. Sculpture offered the prospect of a better living.
His Sculptures are mostly focused on traditional spiritual
themes, and his method of carving is guided by the belief in the spirit within
the stone wanting to come out, through which his own spirit (shave) assists.
The themes which he works with all contain elaborate cultural stories, which
are extremely rich in meaning and metaphor.
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| At the Brock awards in Dec 2017 |
