“Modern Hikule’o” is MG’s luminous tribute to his Tongan heritage, shining a light on the tales of the goddess Hikule’o, a deity of the underworld, whose stories and those of other gods dimmed with the introduction of Christianity. Yet, their essence remains resilient, awaiting rekindling. MG artfully employs AI to reimagine Hikule’o based on historic ivory carvings, blending it with textures reminiscent of Tongan craftsmanship. The color palette mirrors the Tongan landscape, interweaving narratives of volcanic formations and coral islands. Beyond its visual allure, the piece bridges ancient tradition and contemporary innovation, celebrating the perpetual spirit of Tongan mythology in a changing world.

Process & Medium:
Photography, SDXL(AI), Lightroom, Photoshop.