Figure

Figure of woman and two children. Polished wood. Carved on commission for W. Davenport, Nov.-Dec. 1976, at Solomon Islands Museum, Honiara by Mr. Frank Haikiu (signature carved in base). Mr. Haikiu is a Polynesian from Rennell-Bellona Isls. Started carving in the tourist workship of the Seventh Day Adventist Church; later employed by Solomon Islands Museum to work at the museum; sent by Solomon Islands Gov't. to Fiji for some study of sculpture. (Seems to have been influenced by group of sculpture in Fiji Museum which were carved by Western S. I. carver in 1920's (?) in this genre.) Subject of this carving was Mr. Haikiu's choice; something he had been considering doing piror to commission. Mr. Haikiu is one of two best Rennell-Bellona sculptors currently (1976 - 77) carving in the new "tourist" or "commercial" style. This style was started about 1960 by the 7-day mission. There is no traditional human figure carving on Rennell-Bellona.