This artwork is called Mague ne Sagran (ranking black palm) grade 4 painted which was completed in 2005 by Michel Rangie from Vanuatu. The materials that are used for this artwork are carved black palm with synthetic polymer paint. I would say that this carving has something to do with tribes or tribal aspects and I would say that this artist is a native to Vanuatu due to the way that the colours and symbols are used. The colours would most likely also symbolize something to him.
In my research below, I found that customary government, law and religion have been strongly retained in the particular region where the artworks were created. It also says that each work is unique and is based on the chief’s social position at the time. Another thing that the collection of sculptures reflects and represents is the taboos guiding the customs of North Ambrym.

‘The Queensland Art Gallery has recently acquired a magnificent collection of Guardian for tabou house, Temar sculptures, Mague rite figures and slit drums from Ambrym Island, Vanuatu. Geographically isolated, the north of the island is considered an area where kastom (customary government, law and religion) has been strongly retained. These sculptures are representative of one of the most important forms of art making in Vanuatu and are made from breadfruit, ferns and local fibres. The mague sculptures play a central role within the contemporary articulation of kastom in North Ambrym. Ambrymese society is structured around chiefs who rise through a series of grades. Each rise in rank is marked by a ceremony and the creation of a sculpture, and each work is unique, based on the chief’s social position at the time. The slit drums are used in the ceremonies, and the temar sculptures are created as memorials to ancestor spirits and represent the strength, dynamism and vital nature of Ambrymese culture. Powerful, bold and expressive of a rich artistic tradition, this collection of sculptures reflects and represents the taboos guiding the ni-Vanuatu kastom of North Ambrym. Although created using customary practices, these works also demonstrate the dynamic nature of Ambrymese culture as it responds to contemporary issues and influences. An eagerness to communicate the importance of Ambrymese culture, and thus maintain it, has resulted in outsiders being given access to these rare works.’ (GoMA).

The reason that I believe an artist’s cultural background impacts their artworks is as they all have a different opinion, personality, lifestyle, upbringing and artistic interpretation and emotions. They may have grown up in poor surroundings and had a hard childhood, which would affect the way that they choose to create their artworks. In this case, the artist seems to have a quirky personality as shown in the way that they carved the statues facial features. This is also shown in the way that he used a range of colours to convey the artwork.