Master Craftsman of Lalava Receives Honorary Doctorate from Massey University
Filipe Tohi Solomon Islands Ancient Artform Brought to Life in Contemporary Masterpieces by Filipe Tohi
Renowned Tongan artist and cultural innovator Sololemalama Filipe Tohi has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Massey University, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Pacific art, cultural preservation, and cross-cultural dialogue. This prestigious honour is reserved for individuals who have made a profound impact on the university, the nation, or society at large.
Mr. Tohi is widely celebrated for his groundbreaking work in reviving and contemporising lalava—a traditional form of Pan-Pacific lashing that historically bound together the canoes, buildings, and social structures of many Oceanic cultures. Through his distinctive artistic lens, Mr. Tohi has redefined lalava as both a physical artform and a visual language of cultural memory, imbuing it with new meaning and relevance in the modern world.
Born in Tonga and now based in Aotearoa New Zealand, Mr. Tohi’s influence spans across the Pacific and the globe. In New Zealand, his public sculptures and installations are found in some of the nation’s most significant cultural and educational spaces. His works are featured in the permanent collections of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, and institutions such as Te Papa Tongarewa have included his pieces in major exhibitions. His work at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington’s Wan Solara Pasifika Section celebrates Pacific identity and knowledge systems within a tertiary context.
In Tonga, Mr. Tohi’s legacy is embedded in the revitalisation of indigenous artforms and knowledge systems. His continued mentorship and advocacy for cultural arts have inspired a new generation of Tongan artists to explore their roots and express their heritage through contemporary mediums. His interpretation of lalava bridges the ancient with the modern, reasserting Tonga’s place in the broader narrative of Polynesian excellence and artistic innovation.
Across the Pacific Islands, Mr. Tohi’s works speak to the shared heritage of voyaging cultures—connecting Samoa, Fiji, Hawai‘i, and beyond through the intricate meanings encoded in lalava patterns. His large-scale commissioned work at the Polynesian Cultural Centre in Hawai‘i stands as a tribute to these ancestral ties, and to the unifying power of Pacific artistry.
Globally, his impact continues to grow. Mr. Tohi has represented Pacific contemporary art at world-renowned exhibitions such as the Asia Pacific Triennial in Brisbane and the Biennale d’Art Contemporain in France, placing Pacific design, philosophy, and identity onto the global art stage. His unique approach—merging traditional technique with contemporary sculpture—has earned him a reputation as a visionary of indigenous modernism.
In Mr. Tohi’s own words, “I have identified a visual language within the lalava that was not only used by our ancestors for voyaging, but it communicated principles of cultural knowledge and history. For me, the sennit patterns of the Pacific convey our memories and experiences, as well as carry us from place to place.”
His sculptures are not only objects of aesthetic appreciation but also repositories of indigenous philosophy, embedding themes of unity, balance, identity, and continuity. His installations, such as the Te Auaunga Awa Outdoor Learning Classroom in Auckland, have become functional spaces for learning and reflection, fusing art with community empowerment and environmental storytelling.
Among his numerous accolades, Mr. Tohi was awarded the Creative New Zealand Senior Pacific Artist Award in 2009, a reflection of his longstanding contributions to the arts and Pacific communities. His work continues to be studied in academic circles, celebrated by artists, and embraced by communities across the Pacific.
Dean Pacific, Professor Palatasa Havea, who supported Mr. Tohi’s nomination, described him as a cultural treasure:
“It was a delight to have a worthy nominee for this award. Mr. Tohi is highly respected in the international creative art community. People see and admire his work in many cities in New Zealand, throughout the Pacific, and beyond.”
Filipe Tohi’s life’s work stands as a testament to the enduring relevance of Pacific knowledge systems. Through lalava, he has not only preserved an ancient artform but elevated it into a global narrative of indigenous resilience and creativity—a gift from Tonga to the world.
