Silver Venus Comb Shell

Hand-painted on masi, with details drawn in pigment pen. This painting is part of our “Silver Shell” range, depicting some of the fascinating shells that a lucky beachcomber may find while wandering along the palm-fringed shores of Fiji. The spines of the living Venus Comb Murex permit it to crawl on the sand around the reef without being swept away by ocean currents. 

Fijian ‘masi’, also called barkcloth, is produced by village women on islands such as Vatulele. A renewable resource, masi is made by harvesting strips of bark from specially grown paper-mulberry trees. Each piece takes days to process, involving repeated pounding, soaking and stretching. These traditional skills are passed on from generation to generation, with certain clans being considered the experts in masi-making. The uneven quality of the masi reflects its handmade origin.

Maria Rova lives in Nadi, Fiji. Her artwork is inspired by the wildlife, culture, and scenery of the Pacific, especially that of the remote island of Taveuni to the north of the Fiji group, which is home to her husband’s traditional clan. Sustained by forest and reef, Taveuni villagers still follow many of the ancient cultural practices that give Fijian people their unique identity. The artist wishes to acknowledge gratefully the impact that her Fijian family has had on her work.