Nicolai Michoutouchkine Oil On Panel Large Format "kawa Wallis 1968"

“Kawa Wallis” (1968) by Nicolai Michoutouchkine (1929–2010) Magnificent and rare oil on panel created by Nicolai Michoutouchkine in 1968, entitled “Kawa Wallis”. This large work (180 cm x 100 cm) powerfully depicts the traditional Kawa ceremony, a central event in the social and spiritual life of the Wallis and Futuna Islands. Michoutouchkine transcribes the ritual gestures with great expressive intensity, subtly capturing the sacred dimension of this moment of communal sharing. The energetic treatment of colors, with its warm shades and play of light, brings strength and depth to the composition, highlighting the spiritual and authentic atmosphere of the Pacific. This unique piece is a true testimony to contemporary Oceanic art and Michoutouchkine’s passionate commitment to celebrating the cultural richness of the Pacific. Medium: Oil on panel Dimensions: 180 cm x 100 cm Signed and dated: “Kawa Wallis, Michoutouchkine, 1968” Nicolai Michoutouchkine (1929–2010) was an artist, designer, and collector of Oceanic art, born in Belfort, France, to Russian émigré parents. He trained at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Montparnasse, Paris, and also earned a business diploma from the École Scientifique Commerciale. In 1953, Michoutouchkine embarked on an extensive journey through Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, exhibiting his work in each country he visited. In 1957, he settled in New Caledonia as part of his military service, serving as secretary to the governor. It was during this time that he began collecting Melanesian and Polynesian art objects. In 1958, his meeting with the artist Aloï Pilioko in Wallis and Futuna marked the beginning of a deep friendship and a fruitful artistic collaboration. Together, they founded the Michoutouchkine-Pilioko Foundation and the Oceanic Art Museum in Port Vila, Vanuatu, with the aim of preserving and promoting Oceanic art. Michoutouchkine and Pilioko organized international traveling exhibitions of their collection in more than forty countries, attracting millions of visitors and helping to promote the richness and artistic creativity of the Pacific. In recognition of his exceptional contribution to the artistic world, Nicolai Michoutouchkine was named Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 1975. He died on May 2, 2010, in Nouméa, leaving behind a considerable artistic legacy and a lasting mark on Oceanic art.