For her new work ‘Paradise’ displayed on Tautai’s outdoor exhibition space, Moana Wall, Ashleigh steps away from the comfort of her sculptural practice and shares writing and drawing on a large scale to envision her Nana’s experience as a migrant from Samoa.
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti | Public Programmes Join us for an artist talk and publication launch for Jaimie Waititi’s ‘ReMoanification:Time is a space’. Exploring the themes of the text with a guest.
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti | Public Programmes Tyla Vaeau will be presenting the art of tatau within the gallery space. Join a talanoa about the politics and perceptions of tatau.
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti | Public Programmes Join Jasmine Tuiā accompanied by her good friend and artist Eric Soakai to sit, stitch and kava-noa.
LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE
Multidisciplinary artist, Melissa Gilbert shares her storytelling practice which she communicates through the performance of activation. She explains how her first activation she performed at Tautai during Artweek 2019 influenced her 2020 Fale-ship work, which is currently showing as part of the Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti exhibition
Jasmine Tuiā discusses how the lockdown influenced her practice and bringing the online Fale-ship into the physical world. The use of materials from her home is reflected in her work ‘Folau Pea’ currently on show as part of ‘Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti’
Curated by the esteemed Nigel Borell, Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti, presented by Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, will bring together nine local artists and their works, all produced during the 2020-2021 lockdowns.
Nigel Borell is opening his first exhibition since his headline-grabbing departure from Auckland Art Gallery, collaborating with Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust.
The curator of one of Aotearoa’s largest ever exhibitions that saw over 300 pieces of contemporary Māori art on display now has a new exhibition opening in Auckland.
Join us for an incredible morning of talanoa and experience our current exhibition Voyagers: The Niu World with the show’s curators and artists Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies.
A performance not to be missed! Pele delighted and amazed those at the Voyagers: The Niu World opening, playing a selection of classical works and his own compositions.
Inside the wave are ocean bodiesby Hōhua Kurene and Natasha Ratuvacurated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe
The Moana Wall is an outdoor exhibition space located on
Across two Saturdays, Sulieti hosted workshops on how to make Kiekie, a traditional Tongan garment to be worn around the waist. We learnt how to weave these adornments from scratch whilst enjoying beautiful kai, coffee and chit chat.
Tui and Sulieti discuss the effects of the global pandemic and the importance of family which are the central themes in their show, Voyagers: The Niu World
Tautai invites all tertiary students to experience our current exhibition VOYAGERS – The Niu World with the show’s curators and artists Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies.
The timing is certainly not great – and definitely a little ironic – for Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust’s next exhibition, Voyagers: The Niu World by New Zealand-based, Tongan mother-daughter combo Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows.
Voyagers: The Niu World showcases a collection of tapa artworks by award-winning Tongan artists Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and her daughter Tui Emma Gillies. Their collection was created during and after lockdown and reflects on the idea of navigating a changed world in the midst of a pandemic.
Sulieti and Tui chat to Lynn Freeman about the Coronavirus era and the way in which the word “bubble” has come to mean safety and sanctuary. But can bubbles also be cages, forcing families apart?
Moana Wall artists Hōhua Ropate Kurene and Natasha Ratuva talk about what connects us Moana people. They discuss the various methods and mediums they used to convey their understanding of space, whakapapa, diaspora and much more…
Tui Emma Gillies, Voyagers, 2020
Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust presents Voyagers: The Niu World, a new exhibition by New Zealand-based, Tongan artists Tui Emma Gillies and ...
Tui Emma Gillies, Voyagers, 2020
Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust presents
SALTWATER / Interconnectivity artist Peter Elavera speaks to his work Unity Wall which highlights West Papua’s struggle for freedom and self-determination
And just like that, our TAUTAI FALE-SHIP Home Residencies have come to an end.
This year we delivered 20x FALE-SHIP residencies every week showcasing the brilliance of our Te moana nui a Kiwa artists living in Aotearoa!
Enjoy this beautiful tribute as we honour and ...
And just like that, our TAUTAI FALE-SHIP Home Residencies have come to an end.
This year we delivered 20x FALE-SHIP residencies ...
Ioane is a Samoan multi-disciplinary artist living in Tāmaki Makaurau. His work is informed by his Samoan heritage and includes performance, film, painting, installation and sculpture.
We had such an incredible night celebrating and hosting our community at the opening of the MOANA WALL!
A collaboration between Tautai and Link Alliance.
https://youtu.be/wCRbMgHAINs
Check out the incredible work of Natasha Ratuva and Hōhua Kurene, on show ...
We had such an incredible night celebrating and hosting our community at the opening of the MOANA WALL!
A collaboration between ...
Natasha and Hōhua talk about their epic 60m site-specific artwork ‘Inside the wave are ocean bodies’, the first exhibition to be shown on the Moana Wall. – 531pi
Witness the connection between artists Hōhua Kurene and Natasha Ratuva and how that collaboration translated into an epic 60m site-specific work Inside the wave are ocean bodies, curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe.
SALTWATER / Interconnectivity artist and curator Katharine Losi Atafu-Mayo gives us an insight into her work, which presents the moana as a site of connection.
Michel is one of the very few professional Pasifika comic artists. With a growing international fanbase, he enjoys sharing his stories with people from all over the globe.
Fakaue lahi to everyone who came through to support, witness and celebrate an incredible exhibition SALTWATER / Interconnectivity. Check out photo’s from the opening here!
Performances: For Artweek 2020 Tautai will be showcasing three performances which highlight the essence of the current exhibition SALTWATER/Interconnectivity.
SALTWATER/Interconnectivity: First Nations digital artist and filmmaker Gutiŋarra was born deaf, his art represents a powerful and positive message of living with disability.
SALTWATER/Interconnectivity: The work of Te Ara Minhinnick centres around the alliances of people, space, and place, stemming from her Ipu Karea – the ancestral homelands of her Iwi, Ngāti Te Ata.
SALTWATER/Interconnectivity: Shawnee Tekii uses art as a tool to create social engagement. Often tackling the political issues that surround the community.
SALTWATER/Interconnectivity: Peter Elavera’s style of work is a fusion of pop art, street graffiti art, elements and principles of graphic design, symbolism, patterns and fine arts.
SALTWATER/Interconnectivity: Samoan artist Katharine Losi is drawn to practices centred around healing and ritual, promoting the use of indigenous and creative methodologies.
SALTWATER/Interconnectivity: A Tongan multi-disciplinary artist never afraid to experiment and develop his practice, beautifully combining tradition with the contemporary.
Tuafale’s practice aims to document and share community stories, generating a living archive. Her kaupapa has been described as one that is based on koha – often made with and gifted back to the communities she is engaged with.
Follow Sani’s journey this week as he shares his residency experience and explores the challenges of lockdown through improvisation, experimentation and pure resilience.
Mereani Qalovakawasa connects with us from Melbourne during this time of uncertainty and disruption, which is the everyday reality for many people living with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
Reflecting on our incredible relaunch of First Fridays held in our new Tautai Gallery space for the first time amongst our current Moana Legacy exhibition.
Follow Iata this week as he shares the visual language of hiapo through his incredible process of creating tatatau Niue during his Fale-ship residency!
Join us for an evening of inter-generational talanoa and performance featuring Cora-Allan Wickliffe, Naawie Tutugoro, Luc Tutugoro and Diggy Dupé hosted by Teokotai Paitai
Tautai Director Courtney Sina Meredith and other UoA Graduates tell us how they couldn’t have got their skills and careers with any other degree. – Re: News
The Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust has opened its first gallery space in central Auckland, dedicated to showcasing the works of contemporary Pacific creatives. – Denizen
Re-opening its doors to the public since the Alert Level 4 lockdown, Tautai Pacific Arts Trust showcased their brand new gallery space last week. – Tagata Pasifika
Pacific and Oceanic peoples make up 16% of Auckland’s population – and that’s growing, rapidly. Our framework for thinking about what art is, and how it is made and shared is slowly starting to shift with that. – The Big Idea
Melissa Gilbert is an artist, storyteller and student, who focuses on “the constant talanoa of identity, connection and healing”.
Talanoa means to unravel, untie and examine through discussion in Samoan. Gilbert’s work is heavily influenced by her lineage rooted in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji.
Her multi-faceted practice includes performance, painting, moving image and installation. And with an honours degree in fine arts still underway, that list may morph more.
Just like her work, Gilbert’s distinctive style is a blend of influences and experiences.
For her new work ‘Paradise’ displayed on Tautai’s outdoor exhibition space, Moana Wall, Ashleigh steps away from the comfort of her sculptural practice and shares writing and drawing on a large scale to envision her Nana’s experience as a migrant from Samoa.
“I guess what I’m trying to get across is that people who migrated here from the islands, they came here for a certain paradise and that’s not necessarily the case.”
Take a look at our photo gallery from Jaimie Waititi’s public programme ‘Chew Your Words’
We were honoured to host Jaimie Waititi’s artist talk and manifesto launch of ‘ReMoanafication: Time is a space’.
Ngā mihi to Jaimie and guest speaker Jessica Palalagi who facilitated an incredible korero about ReMoanafication / ReIndigenisation / ReMāorification – a repositioning for Moana artists to centre tīpuna as a form of reclaiming sovereignty.
Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti is on at Tautai Gallery until September 25th.
Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti is on at Tautai Gallery until September 25th.
Join us for an artist talk and publication launch for Jaimie Waititi’s ReMoanafication: Time is a space. Jaimie will explore and discuss ReMoanafication/ReIndigenisation/ReMāorification with a guest.
‘ReMoanafication’ is a repositioning for Moana artists to centre tīpuna as a form of reclaiming sovereignty. ReMoanafication: Time is a space is presented in two modes: on Tautai’s public Moana Wall on East Street; and, now, as a print and digital publication to be launched at this event.
Tyla Vaeau will be periodically presenting the art of tatau within the gallery space. These sessions are unscheduled, you may happen upon a session at any time throughout the duration of the exhibition. For this scheduled event, join a talanoa about the politics and perceptions of tatau.
Join Jasmine Tuiā accompanied by her good friend and artist Eric Soakai to sit, stitch and kava-noa. Kava-noa is a mix of kava and talanoa; “noa” also implies openness and balance.
Jasmine’s work Folau pea speaks of talanoa as a key element in her process of making. Talanoa remembers relationships to a time as well as people and place. Through this process, the collective is acknowledged in her work. Kava is a well-known Pacific beverage made out of kava roots, and used in ceremonies and group gatherings. In sharing kava with we create and Talanoa, we remember a space and time that helps us continue our individual and collective practices.
For this event, we will use fabric as an alternative to tapa. Like tapa, and other textiles, we can think of fabric as a time/memory capsule. We can stitch items, signs, objects or any subjects onto it, and it will become a tangible representation of your experience of a time and place. Participants are welcome to take their embroideries home or gift each other a piece after the workshop.
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WHERE: Tautai Gallery, 300 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD WHEN: Friday 23rd July, 1pm – 3pm LIMITED SPACES AVAILABLE, please book your place by emailingprogrammes@tautai.org
Lynn Freeman asks Christopher Ulutupu why he’s so keen to involve his family in his videos
A series called New Kid in Town – Tiktok-type videos shot around Nelson’s tourism hotspots – is just one of the projects that video artist Christopher Ulutupu has roped in his extended family to create with him.
Now several of these works are currently on show or about to go up in five art galleries.
Of Samoan, Niuean and German descent, Chris creates work that makes us think about Pacific stereotypes and the impact of colonisation.
His day job sees him advocating for the arts as a way of supporting prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration.
Lynn Freeman asks Chris Ulutupu why he’s so keen to involve his family in his videos.
The New Kid in Town series is on at Tautai and also at Te Tuhi. Both galleries are in Auckland.
Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti is on at Tautai Gallery till September 25th
Multidisciplinary artist, Melissa Gilbert shares her storytelling practice which she communicates through the performance of activation. She explains how her first activation she performed at Tautai during Artweek 2019 influenced her 2020 Fale-ship work, which is currently showing as part of the Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti exhibition
“During that performance I kind of had a bit of an out of body experience. The year after that activation, I kind of spent having a bit of a talanoa kind of trying to understand and verbalise that experience and that’s what came out of my Fale-ship.”
Jasmine Tuiā discusses how the lockdown influenced her practice and bringing the online Fale-ship into the physical world. The use of materials from her home is reflected in her work ‘Folau Pea’ currently on show as part of ‘Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti’
“I didn’t have the materials here with me but I had access to my mum’s garden and my neighbours flowers. The lockdown forced me to be at home, to be with my family and just look at my surroundings and using what I have already and what I have access to.”
Curated by the esteemed Nigel Borell, Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti, presented by Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, will bring together nine local artists and their works, all produced during the 2020-2021 lockdowns.
Roughly translated to “from open seas to the shallow waters,” it’s a celebration of community, of innovation, and of the diversity of Pacific creatives. Saturday June 12 to September June 25. Open 10am to 4pm, Tuesday to Friday; 11am to 4pm, Saturdays. Tautai Gallery, 300 Karangahape Rd, central city, Auckland.
Nigel Borell is opening his first exhibition since his headline-grabbing departure from Auckland Art Gallery, collaborating with Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust to show Moana Waiwai, Moana Pātifrom Saturday 12 June for the next three months
Translated to “from open seas to the shallow waters,” it brings together work developed by nine artists during the 2020-2021 Covid-19 lockdowns – all of whom participated in Tautai’s Fale-ship programme.
RNZ: Nigel Borell opens new exhibition in Auckland
The curator of one of Aotearoa’s largest ever exhibitions that saw over 300 pieces of contemporary Māori art on display now has a new exhibition opening in Auckland.
Photo by Te Aorewa Rolleston
Following his departure from the Auckland Art Gallery after the stunning success of Toi Tū Toi Ora, Nigel Borrell has collaborated with Tautai Gallery to present Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti – an exhibition from Tangata Moana, people of the pacific.
‘Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti’ represents works from nine out of 20 Auckland-based artists and is distinct as the artworks were created out of the experiences of the artists during the 2020-2021 Covid-19 lockdowns.
The 20 artists were part of a fale-ship, where they were encouraged and supported by Tautai to continue to pursue their creative paths, despite the adversity and separation of the lockdown period.
Borell said the fale-ship was an opportunity for the artists to navigate isolation while continuing to tell stories and share perspectives incubated during that time at home.
“It allows for that most vital of functions: supporting our artists and their art-making to be present and to have voice. And just like the unpredictable tides of this pandemic, it has also brought about new opportunities to create and contemplate,”
Nigel Borell
Listen to the full interview here Read the full article here
Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti is on at Tautai Gallery till September 25th
Radio Waatea: Lockdowns unleashed Pacific artist creativity
Works done by Māori and Pasifika artists during lockdown will be on show from tomorrow at Karangahape Road’s Tautai Gallery.
Christopher Ulutupu, Saltbaths, 2021
Curator Nigel Borell says the nine artists were supported during last year’s Covid lockdown with fellowships from Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust, and it unleashed a burst or creativity.
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti includes film, digital image-making, painting, tatau, poetic prose, sonic landscapes and performance.
“I think the lockdowns have given artists creative licence to explore new ideas but also to make. The lockdowns were for some people quite welcomed because for artists who are sometimes quite introverted it was a great platform just to make and create unabated by the world around us,”
Presenting artists from Tautai’s 2020 Fale-ship programme, Nigel highlights the diversity and dynamism of Pacific art and shows what can emerge when circumstances push you into unfamiliar places.
“Sometimes adversity can also create the circumstances to make things and to push you into places that you probably wouldn’t have gone if you didn’t have been prompted… it always creates a really interesting backdrop to do something exciting. To be unique, and to strive in directions that you might not necessarily go if you weren’t pushed to.”
– Nigel Borell
Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti is on at Tautai Gallery till September 25th
Tuāfale Tanoa’i aka DJ Linda T. will be activating her work Chasing Chaka during the exhibition. Come along and dance, move n’ lue to some classic beats! Check out what dates DJ Linda T. will be activating her work ➡️
Ngā mihi to our Moana Wall partners, Link Alliance and to Reverend Mua Strickson Pua for blessing our space and being the MC for the evening. Malo lava to DJ Linda T. for providing the funky tunes we danced all night to!
It is the first time we have held a combined exhibition between Tautai Gallery and our outdoor space, the Moana Wall.
All photos by Isoa Kavakimotu
To stay up to date on Public Programmes, head to our Facebook event page and Instagram
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti is on at Tautai Gallery till 25 September
Tuāfale Tanoa’i AKA Linda T. is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau and is of Samoan descent (Lufilufi, Sasa’ai, Leauva’a). Using video, photography and DJ-ing, Tuāfale’s practice aims to document and share community stories. Her kaupapa has been described as one that is based on koha – often made with, and gifted back to, the communities she is engaged with. Tuāfale is widely recognised for her generous contributions to various community groups in Aotearoa through her rigorous and insightful work as a documenter since the early 1980s. In addition to her solo practice Tuāfale is a member of art collective D.A.N.C.E. art club.
Since 2018, Tuāfale has been engaged in an ongoing series of international adventures and residencies that form the basis of a long-term research interest. Her research looks at art, music and queer communities in response to their cultural and geographical environments. This body of work begins in the USA with Chasing Chaka, a three-week tour following influential women, people of colour and queer musicians across America.
Jasmine Tuiā is a multidisciplinary practitioner who examines concepts of the Pacific body and indigenous Samoan narratives through mediums of photography, moving image and tapa (siapo) making. She is of Samoan descent (Matautu Lefaga, Falefa, Anoama’a and Malifa, Apia).
Jasmine’s practice is influenced by histories, conversations, and land cases from her village of Matautu Lefaga in Samoa. She explores the re-representation and reclamation of Pacific identity, as well as reinforcing the importance of indigenous Moana voices. Jasmine completed a BFA at Elam School of Fine Arts in 2019 and will be graduating with her MFA in September 2021.
To stay up to date on the event, head to our Facebook event page and Instagram
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti is on at Tautai Gallery till 25 September
Melissa Gilbert is a multi-faceted storyteller who focuses on the constant talanoa of identity, connection and healing. Her work is heavily influenced by her ancestry based in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. Her broad practice ranges from painting and installation to moving image and live activation – her choice of medium based on the best mode of delivery in service of the work’s message.
Melissa produced new moving image work titled Atua Otua Kalou as part of her 2020 Tautai Fale-ship residency. The work responds to her initiation into live actiVĀtion, Claim Sanctuary, which she performed at Tautai as part of Auckland Art Week 2019. She spent a vigorous year of talanoa afterward to process the experience. As part of this approach, she explored ideas relating to shamanism and ritual from around the world, only to come to the conclusion that she needed to look towards home and to the Tā-Vā time-space theory. Atua Otua Kalou is the rendering of a conversation with ancestors within the realm of Tā-Vā.
Christopher Ulutupu is a video artist of Samoan (Falelatai, Siumu, Safotu), Niuean and German descent currently residing in Pōneke. He has an MFA from Massey University, Wellington and a Bachelor of Performance Design (Hons) from Massey University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School.
Christopher’s art practice is autobiographical by nature and often reflects on personal relationships, experiences and ideas related to identity and belonging. He regularly collaborates with family, friends and untrained actors. His video and performance work explores landscape, the constructions of colonial narratives and experiences of Pacific diaspora. Through his work, Christopher seeks to re-contextualise stereotypical representations of Pacific people and offer new ways of exploring the effects of colonisation.
Jaimie (James) Waititi (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) is a multidisciplinary, gender fluid artist who works within performance, regalia, lens-based media, image making, sound and installation. Their work explores the environment, racial and cultural politics and the gender and queer spectrum. They are obsessed with tipuna matāuranga (ancient Māori stories) and exploring these narratives through modern methods of storytelling. Jaimie is a member of SaVAge K’Lub, issheboys, Th3 Order and the Arts Laureate winning interdisciplinary collective FAFSWAG.
During their 2020 Tautai Fale-ship, Jaimie considered how Moana artists are positioned around decolonisation – and how they can reposition themselves to centre tīpuna, rather than colonisation. This repositioning, referred to as ReMoanification (or ReMāorification), is a form of reclaiming sovereignty and has become a central part of Jaimie’s practice.
Ashleigh Taupaki is a multi-disciplinary artist who explores the connections between land, body and identity through indigenous Pacific and Māori concepts of space and place. Working primarily with hard materials, but also in photography, illustration and writing, Ashleigh creates work that manifests ideas of kaitiakitanga, tūrangawaewae and collaboration with natural resources. Her work is heavily informed by indigenous politics and writings, as well as mythological stories and histories connected to place.
Ashleigh is of Māori (Ngāti Hako) and Samoan (Matautu Lefaga, Vailoa) descent. She lives and works in Tāmaki Makaurau. In 2020, she was awarded a Ngā Manu Pīrere Award from Creative New Zealand for her achievements as an emerging Māori artist. She has recently completed an MFA at Elam School of Fine Arts, The University of Auckland.
Talofa lava! Introducing the Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti artist, Salvador Brown!
Born in Aotearoa and of Samoan and European descent, Salvador Brown is a multidisciplinary artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Through his upbringing and his exposure to artmaking in all its forms, Salvador has a broad experience and knowledge of many art traditions, which include taonga pūoro, photography and videography, and most recently, sound work. His formative experiences have also been shaped via his participation with various movements including the Pacific Sisters and SaVĀge K’lub.
Career highlights include activations with the SaVĀge K’lub in London and as part of the 8th Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, QAGOMA, Brisbane (2015); workshop leader at Volkenkunde Museum Netherlands Maori Week with his London whanau Te Kohanga Reo o Rānana (2018); and Acti.VA.tor for In*ter*is*land Collective for the Oceania exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris (2019).
Tyla Vaeau is a tatau practitioner, artist and researcher of Samoan (Salea’aumua and Safune) and Palagi descent, based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She has a BFA from Elam School of Fine Arts and an MA in Art History from the University of Auckland, which focuses on Samoan tatau and its development within the Samoan diaspora. In 2009, Tyla began tattooing with machine with guidance from prolific tattoo artist Roger Ingerton of ‘Roger’s Tatoo Art’, Pōneke. She has gone on to participate in prominent cultural tattoo festivals locally and internationally, including the Traditional Tattoo and World Culture Festival, Mallorca, 2017 and Tatau I Mo’orea Festival, Tahiti, 2018.
Over the years Tyla has developed a strong knowledge and practice of Samoan and Pasifika tatau that is rooted in the customary practices of the past. She is an advocate who looks to contribute to the cultural continuum of tatau and is in the process of learning customary Samoan tatau under the teachings of renowned tufuga tatatau Su’a Sulu’ape Alaiva’a Petelo, Samoa.
Lyncia Müller is a Tongan (Nuku’alofa, Fatai, Lakepa) contemporary artist who is passionate about dance, theatre and exploring her cultural roots. She is a graduate from the Unitec Institute of Technology in Contemporary Dance and the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts (PIPA). Lyncia has created dance and theatre works that have been performed at Basement Theatre, Pacific Dance Festival and Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki. Lyncia has also worked with various artists and companies including Lisa Reihana, Auckland Theatre Company, Black Grace, Tupua Tufuga, Fasitua Amosa and LADI6.
One of our fantastic public programmes we hosted as part of Voyagers was Pele live in concert! It was a wonderful afternoon filled with fāmili, kai and music and it was great to see everyone come and support this remarkable young performer – we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Pele.
For further information please email us Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe
A new group exhibition curated by Nigel Borell presents a diverse range of work by nine Moana artists.
Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust presents Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti, bringing together work developed by nine artists during the 2020-2021 Covid-19 lockdowns. The exhibition, curated by Nigel Borell, is on from Saturday 12 June until 25 September 2021.
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti, can be poetically translated to “from open seas to the shallow waters,” which Borell explains is a fitting metaphor for what has been an exceptional year worldwide.
“For the artists, the Covid-19 lockdowns brought about new opportunities to create and make. We’ve seen how adversity and innovation have gone hand-in-hand for many of them, and the work they have created is testament to the strength and creativity of artists”
– Nigel Borell
Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti includes work by Salvador Brown, Melissa Gilbert, Lyncia Müller, Tuāfale Tanoa’i AKA Linda T., Ashleigh Taupaki, Jasmine Tuiā, Christopher Ulutupu, Tyla Vaeau and Jaimie Waititi. The exhibition celebrates the diversity of Pacific creatives, and includes film, digital image-making, painting, tatau, poetic prose, sonic landscapes and performance.
All artists exhibiting in Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti participated in Tautai’s Fale-ship programme, an initiative born out of the Covid-19 lockdowns to support artists working across a range of artistic disciplines to develop and make work at home. It is the first of two group exhibitions showcasing Tautai’s Fale-ship artists.
Tautai Director Courtney Sina Meredith says, “During the Covid-19 lockdowns, our priority was to support our artistic community to make, create and connect. The unique circumstances of isolation has impacted creative work in a number of ways. This year, our focus as an organisation is to redress the isolation of those lockdowns and work to bring our community back together, into our gallery space, to share work, talanoa and celebrate all that is Pacific creativity.”
Exhibition details: Moana Waiwai, Moana Pāti Exhibition Opening: Friday 11 June at 6.00pm Exhibition Runs: Saturday 12 June – Saturday 25 September 2021 Tautai Gallery, Level 1, 300 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central Open 10am–4pm, Tuesday–Friday, 11am – 4pm, Saturdays
During Sulieti’s kiekie masterclasses we asked her about how she learnt the skill of making kiekie and why it is important to pass on this knowledge.
“I learnt to make kiekie from my mother. Growing up as a child I would follow her around and watch her when she would make things. The artworks that I know today I have learnt from my mother.”
Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows
Malo lahi ‘aupito to our facilitator Lesinga Vaiaku, to Cecelia Taukapo for her translation and NoSix for putting this video together.
Watch the highlights from Pele Gilles’ live concert at Tautai Gallery! It was a wonderful afternoon filled with fāmili, kai and music and it was great to see everyone come and support this remarkable young performer – we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Pele
This week is your last chance to see the Voyagers: The Niu World at Tautai Gallery! Make sure to come in between Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm or Saturday 11am – 4pm to get a glimpse of the magic!
It’s been a pleasure to exhibit the magnificent work of Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies in their spectacular show Voyagers: The Niu World (at Tautai Gallery until 22 May).
If you haven’t had the opportunity to come and see the exhibition in person, check out our official gallery tour video created by NoSix.
This Saturday 15 May at 11am, Sulieti and Tui will be hosting an Artist Talk in the gallery, explaining their inspiration and processes behind each work. It will be your last chance to meet the artists in the space so make sure to be there!
Join us for an incredible morning of talanoa and experience our current exhibition Voyagers: The Niu World with the show’s curators and artists Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies.
Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows at Tautai Gallery
A final chance to hear from these incredible artists and gain a deeper insight into their work as they discuss the process of developing the show. Sulieti and Tui will take you on a journey through the gallery, explaining their art and the inspiration behind each piece.
Sulieti and Tui will also treat us to a taste of making and working with tapa.
One last chance to talanoa with these incredible women as we draw near to the final days of Voyagers: The Niu World.
Artist Talk | Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies When: Saturday 15 May, 11am–12pm Where: Tautai Gallery, 300 Karangahape Road, Auckland FREE EVENT
For further information please email us Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe
Meet the mother-daughter artist duo creating a new Polynesian art style together
Photo by Luke Harvey courtesy of WOMAN Magazine
Mother-daughter artist duo Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies tell Garth Cartwright that, despite their differences, they’re cut from the same cloth.
From a South Auckland bungalow to international art galleries, mother and daughter Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies are achieving remarkable things with their tapa cloth paintings.
The art they co-create is both beautiful and ominous, reflecting as it does concerns close to all of us: family, Covid, cultural traditions, the Pacific environment, our pasts and futures.
To read the full story subscribe to WOMAN Magazine online or purchase a copy from your nearest retailer.
Voyagers – The Niu World is on at Tautai Gallery until May 22, 2021 Gallery Hours: 10am – 4pm (Tues – Fri) 11am – 4pm (Saturday)
The artworks of Voyagers: The Niu World are a vivid celebration of intergenerational creativity. Mother and daughter artist team Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies created their stunning ngatu (tapa paintings) accompanied by the music of Tui’s son Pele Gillies, an extraordinary young pianist who provided constant inspiration.
Pele delighted and amazed those at the Voyagers: The Niu World opening, playing a selection of classical works and his own compositions. His talent on the piano took life amongst the artworks, representing the third generation involved in this creative enterprise – the music enhancing the connection to fāmili, bringing together the artistry of each family member – in isolation, together, a multi-layered connection of creativity, joy and imagination.
Join us on Saturday 8 May for an afternoon with Pele Gillies, as he treats us to a live piano performance, bringing his distinctive verve and zeal to the gallery. Gather your aiga for the opportunity to catch this budding young pianist and composer at the very dawn of what we know will be a remarkable life in the arts.
Head to the Facebook event page and click “going” to RSVP
Inside the wave are ocean bodies by Hōhua Kurene and Natasha Ratuva curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe
The Moana Wall is an outdoor exhibition space located on East Street’s hoardings surrounding the Karangahape Station construction site. Using the existing infrastructure as a canvas that highlights contemporary Pasifika artists and celebrates the diverse community of Karangahape Road. The MOANA WALL aims to highlight a significant era of Karangahape Road’s history and its lasting connection to Pasifika communities today.
What an
incredible few weeks we have had at Sulieti’s Kiekie Masterclass!
Across two
Saturdays, Sulieti hosted workshops on how to make Kiekie, a traditional Tongan
garment to be worn around the waist. We learnt how to weave these adornments
from scratch whilst enjoying beautiful kai, coffee and chit chat. Mālō ‘aupito
to Sulieti for facilitating these masterclasses, to the participants and to our
Ngāue ‘Ofa volunteers for all their help over the last two weeks!
We can’t
wait to host more workshops in the future, watch this space!
Voyagers – The Niu World is on at Tautai Gallery until May 22, 2021 Gallery Hours: 10am – 4pm (Tues – Fri) 11am – 4pm (Saturday)
Artists Spotlight: Tui Emma Gillies & Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows
Mother-daughter duo Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies, creators of Voyagers – The Niu World exhibition explain what inspires their unique tapa art. They discuss the effects of the global pandemic and the importance of family which are the central themes in their show.
“We’re voyaging through this pandemic and if we look back at our ancestors, they just jumped on these big vakas and they took off to destinations around the world that they had no idea what it’s going to be like. And so, for me I was looking at the pandemic and just thought wow, we’re like them.”
Over two exclusive, hands-on workshops, spend the morning with Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows MNZM and make your own kiekie.
A longstanding cultural tradition that is unique to Tonga, kiekie are ornamental garments worn around the waist. Highly decorative and incorporating a variety of natural and manmade materials, kiekie are worn as a sign of respect and connect the wearer to ancestors and tradition.
Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows learnt nimamea’a from her mother and aunts when growing up Falevai in the Vava’u Island group of Tonga. Since moving to New Zealand as a young woman, Sulieti found, as did others in the Pacific diaspora, that traditional materials were not easily available and adapted to using what she could find here.
Using locally sourced materials, join Sulieti and learn to make your own kiekie in the setting of current exhibition Voyagers: The Niu World at Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust.This workshop takes place over two Saturday sessions – please make sure you’re available for both sessions before signing up. Limited spaces available.
To reserve your space phone (09) 375 1665 or email programmes@tautai.org Head to the Facebook event page for more info.
Voyagers – The Niu World is on at Tautai Gallery until May 22, 2021 Gallery Hours: 10am – 4pm (Tues – Fri) 11am – 4pm (Saturday)
Tautai is proud to support the Auckland Writers Festival 2021
Auckland Writers Festival Curator: Pasfika Gina Cole has curated three sessions for the Talanoa Series, featuring some of Aotearoa’s pre-eminent Pasifika writers, poets and playwrights. Other sessions include crafted responses from invited writers to Tautai’s exhibition SALTWATER / Interconnectivity.
Oceanic women have always been creators – weaving lives into pandanus mats, printing knowledge onto masi and tapa, bearing tatau memory on skin, weaving words in boundless talanoa. A triumph of preeminent Pasifika women – Ockham NZ Book Awards shortlisted Tusiata Avia (The Savage Coloniser Book), Selina Tusitala Marsh(Mophead Tu) and Ockham longlistedKarlo Mila (Goddess Muscle) – come together to discuss the preoccupations that infuse their incredible new books. Grace Iwashita-Taylor leads this conversation on whakapapa, culture and Te-Moana-nui-a-Kiwa as its threaded through their pages.
Talu mei tuai ‘a e nima mea‘a ‘a e kakai fefine ‘o e ‘Ōseni Pasifikí – ‘I he‘enau lālanga ‘o e mo‘uí ki ha ngaahi fala lou‘akau, tā ‘a e kupesi ‘o e ‘iló ki he masí mo e ngatú, hilifaki ‘i he kilí ha ngaahi tātatau ‘o e manatú, lālanga ‘o e ngaahi leá ki ha talanoa tuputupu‘a. Ko ha ikuna ‘eni ma‘á e kakai fefine ‘iloa ‘o e Pasifikí – ‘oku fakatahataha mai ai ‘a Tusiata Avia(The Savage Coloniser Book), Selina Tusitala Marsh(Mophead Tu) pea mo Karlo Mila(Goddess Muscle) – ke talatalanoa‘i ‘a e ngaahi fakalaulaulotoa ‘oku tuifio atu ‘i he‘enau ngaahi tohi laulōtaha fo‘oú. ‘Oku tataki ‘e Grace Iwashita-Taylor ‘a e talanoá ni fekau‘aki mo e whakapapa, ngaahi ‘ulungāanga fakafonuá mo e Te-Moana-nui-a-Kiwa ‘o hangē ko ia kuo filohi atu ‘i he ngaahi peesi ‘o ‘enau fa‘u tohí.
SALTWATER PEOPLE
Friday 14th May | 3:30 – 4:30pm | Herald Theatre
“We sweat and cry salt water, so we know that the ocean is really in our blood,” said the late scholar, poet and activist Teresia Teaiwa. These evocative words became a reference point for Tautai Gallery’s recent exhibition SALTWATER/ Interconnectivityin which the gallery was transformed by co-curatorsKatharine Losiand Giles Peterson to embody the Moana worldview – exploring questions of justice, equity and identity. Losi is joined by three other invited writers – Amber Esau, Rosanna Raymondand Jaimie Waititi– to craft written responses to the exhibition, which they present for the first time.
What is the job of a Poet Laureate, and is it more complicated for those that “walk in and out of several worlds each day” as the United States’ Laureate of Native American descent Joy Harjo so eloquently puts it? Aotearoa’s first Pasifika Poet Laureate, Selina Tusitala Marsh, joins the current and second Pasifika writer to hold the tokotoko, David Eggleton, for a discussion on poetry and power, private and public writing, and his new collection The Wilder Years.
Ka tes ta garue ʻon famorit ne sap se fuḁg teʻis Poet Laureate ka te ka la noanoa seʻ se iris ne ʻmåürʻåk ʻe ta kḁinag måür tūtū his ʻe teʻ ne terḁniʻ – teʻis fäeag ʻon Joy Harjo, leʻet ʻe tör ʻon kakḁi mumuḁ ne Mereke ne pō tapeʻ ma ʻe fuḁg teʻis United States Laureate. Leʻ Pasefiḁk mumuet ne pō ʻe fuḁg teʻis Poet Laureate ʻe Niu Sirḁgi Selina Tusitala Marsh, la teagʻesea ma leʻet ne teʻis sap se fuḁg ta ʻe ʻon ʻi heteʻ, ka täe ʻon ruḁ ne leʻet ʻe famör Pasefika ne sap se fuḁg teʻis, David Eggleton, la hḁifäegag ʻe rēko ʻamnåk teʻis “poetry and power”, fåʻ tē ne hünʻåk se ʻot mḁuri ne fåʻ ʻe rēko måür ofrḁu, ma la iofʻåk tapeʻ ma se ʻon garue foʻou teʻis The Wilder Years.
FALE AITU: KIGHTLEY & RODGERS
Sunday, 16th May | 2:00pm – 3:00pm | Wāitakere Room
Many ancestral currents, past and present, carried Pasifika peoples from Te-Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa to Aotearoa. Whilst each Pacific identity is unique, experiences of migration, colonialism, and courage are shared, and vividly expressed in a thriving performance scene. Pasifika playwrights Oscar Kightley and Victor Rodgerare just two of the many whose work reflect the Pasifika migrant spirit and the relationships with Māori as tangata whenua. How are the multiple waka of Pasifika theatre navigating current global storms, and what does the future hold? They share their thoughts with Lana Lopesi.
O le tele o folauga i vaitaimi ua tuanai e oo mai i le asō, na folau mai ai tagata Pasifika mai le Te-Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa seia taunuu mai i Aotearoa. E tofu lava atumotu o le Pasifika ma lona faasinomaga, ma e ui i le eseese o nei faasinomaga, o talaaga i femalagaiga, faiga faakolone, ma le loto toa o tagata Pasifika, ua mafai ona faasoa ma faamatala manino i se faaaliga maoa‘e ma matagofie. O tusitala i faaaliga faa- Pasifika, le susuga Oscar Kightleyma Victor Rodgero nisi o tomai mai le toatele o tusitala, ma o loo atagia i a la galuega le agaga o tagata folau mai le Pasifika ma le sootaga ma Māori o tagata o le laueleele. O faapefea i le tele o sā o le Pasifika ona faatautaia folauga i matagi malolosi i le taimi nei, ma o le ā se taunuuga o loo agai atu i ai i le lumanai? Na faasoa o la manatu ma Lana Lopesi.
Watch Voyagers – The Niu World Opening Night Highlights Video
Mālō lahi ’aupito to everyone who came the opening of Voyagers – The Niu World!
Thank you to everyone who made this night so special. We are so blessed to work alongside such talented artists and to receive endless support from our amazing community.
Shout out to our content creators NoSix for capturing the essence of the evening in this video!
Voyagers – The Niu World is on at Tautai Gallery until May 22, 2021 Gallery Hours: 10am – 4pm (Tues – Fri) 11am – 4pm (Saturday)
Tautai is thrilled to announce that we have two new members in our Tautai Aiga!
Tautai Team at the Voyagers – The Niu World Opening, Mile and Sam pictured on the right
Mile Fane – Public Programmes Manager
Mile Fane (she/her) is a young Afakasi actress and creative currently residing in Tāmaki Makaurau. She was born and raised in Aotearoa, in a family which was immersed in the arts. Mile has had a deep and long-standing relationship with the arts industry and in particular the Pacific Arts community. She is passionate about providing spaces for young creatives to feel elevated and believes that now more than ever we need to be supporting and uplifting the voices of young BIPOC artists across all disciplines, artists see the world a little differently and provide an outlet for people to make sense of the world in all it’s craziness.
Sam McKegg – Communications Advisor
Sam McKegg (she/her) is a writer, publicist and communications professional who has worked in promoting and publicising arts, culture and creative industries in Aotearoa for almost a decade. She has formerly held communications roles at Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and with production company Natural History New Zealand. Sam is passionate about uplifting and supporting contemporary art and artists through her mahi.
Mālō lahi ‘aupito to everyone who came through to support the opening of Voyagers: The Niu World.
Check out the photo gallery below!
We want to acknowledge the creativity of Tui and Sulieti, who’s beautiful mahi fills the space, highlighting the journey of our ancestors, and putting family at the forefront of everything they do.
Fa’afetai lava to Reverend Mua Strickson Pua for blessing our space and being the MC for the evening.
Thank you to Pele for sharing your incredible talent, we look forward to seeing it grow and develop. Also to the Heilala group for their tau’olunga faka’ofa’ofa mo mālie.
Mālō to 8 Roses Catering for the delicious kai, Hallertau for the beers, and all those who helped us to manaaki our community.
A big thank you to No Six for capturing the evening, including these awesome photos by Isoa Kavakimotu, watch this space for more of their mahi!
We are so happy we could finally share this exhibition with you, thank you for your support.
Mālō lahi ‘aupito, Tautai Team
All photographs by Isoa Kavakimotu
Voyagers – The Niu World is on at Tautai Gallery until May 22, 2021 Gallery Hours: 10am – 4pm (Tues – Fri) 11am – 4pm (Saturday)
For further information please email us Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe
Mālō e lelei! Introducing VOYAGERS: The Niu World opening night performer Pele Gillies!
A baby-grand piano will be situated within the exhibition space for the duration of Voyagers: The Niu World. The piano represents an intergenerational connection to Tui Emma Gillies’ son, Pele Gillies, whose piano playing provided a soundtrack during the production of many of the tapa in this exhibition. 13-year-old Pele is a relative newcomer to performance, having had his first piano lesson in September 2019. He quickly fell in love with piano and classical music and enjoys hunting out new obscure compositions to learn and play. Hear Pele play an original composition at the exhibition opening this Friday!
Voyagers: The Niu World 20 March – 22 May 2021 Tautai Gallery, Level 1 – 300 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central
Tautai invites all tertiary students to experience our current exhibition VOYAGERS: The Niu World with the show’s curators and artists Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies. Learn about the process of developing the show, get to know the artists and gain a deeper insight into their works. It will also be a chance to talanoa with the artists and other students.
Mālō e lelei! Introducing VOYAGERS: The Niu World curators and artists Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows!
The mother-daughter duo are presenting the first show at Tautai Gallery for 2021! They are Tongan artists who specialise in tapa, their work is known for its distinctive and contemporary motifs whilst honouring and faithful to the traditional methods and practices of their ancestors. Together they have exhibited at galleries and museums throughout Aotearoa and across the globe. Their solo exhibition at Tautai Gallery will feature a range of works created during lockdown and a variety of new pieces. This exhibition aims to tap into the spirit of the great explorers of the Pacific, consulting the stars and charting a course into the wild blue expanse.
Voyagers: The Niu World 20 March – 22 May 2021 Tautai Gallery, Level 1 – 300 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central
Following the announcement that Auckland will be moving to Alert Level 1, we are happy reschedule the opening for VOYAGERS – The Niu World to Friday 19 March .
Combining pieces
created during Aotearoa’s lockdown and new work, this exhibition aims to tap
into the spirit of the great explorers of the Pacific, consulting the stars and
charting a course into the wild blue expanse.
“The waves have never been bigger or more threatening, the storms have never been so savage, the fires have never been so close and hot. And we are expressing this in the medium we were brought up in, tapa painting, which has been passed down from generation to generation by those people who made the original voyages and their ancestors before them. This exhibition is dedicated to all us Voyagers navigating The Niu World.”
– Tui Emma Gillies & Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows
We are honoured to be working with these talented women and we look forward to sharing their work with you all.
The Artists, Tui Emma Gillies & Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows
Creatives practicing across all disciplines that are interested in developing and perfecting their industry knowledge and skills are invited to apply!
Applicants must have a tertiary qualification and/or a minimum of three years continuous arts industry experience.
Click here for more information about the internship.
“The internship programme really helped define what I wanted to do in the arts…the programme is a bridge that helps put together that gap that we have between studying and the arts industry.”
Ufitia Sagapolutele Tautai Intern 2018
These
internships provide fantastic paid industry experience for five Pacific arts
practitioners across the motu.
Ufitia
Sagapolutele was an Oceania intern in 2018 and has since been involved with
Tautai as a guest performer at gallery openings and facilitated educational
public programmes such as Fresh Horizons.
Fresh Horizons 2019
Moana Legacy Opening 2020
You don’t want miss out on this incredible opportunity! Applications close March 19 2021.
Afio mai, Aere mai, Malo e me’a mai, Fakatalofa atu, Veikidavaki, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Ulu tonu mai, Welkam, Haere mai!
Last Updated 12 March 2021, 11:45am
On 12 March, 12pm, Auckland is moving into Alert Level 1. We are adhering to government guidelines around Covid-19 at this level.
The safety of the community and our staff is our top priority, therefore we will be taking the following precautions to help keep our fale safe:
If you are unwell, stay home.
All visitors must scan the QR code upon entry or fill out the sign-in sheet. We suggest downloading the COVID-19 Tracer App if you haven’t already.
Please practice good hygiene and use hand sanitiser when visiting Tautai. We encourage you to wear a mask if you wish to do so. Both masks and hand sanitiser are provided at the door if needed.
Please be safe when visiting our gallery, practice social distancing with other visitors not in your bubble and with our staff.
Applications for the Tautai Oceania Internship Programme are closing March 19.
If your organisation is interested in hosting an intern, please send an email detailing your organisation and a draft job description to tautai@tautai.org.
Click here for more information about the internship.
“The programme is definitely relevant for the arts sector in Aotearoa, it’s necessary for the future and the growth of our Pacific arts and our wider arts in general”
– Leki Jackson Bourke, Tautai Oceania Intern 2018
These internships provide fantastic paid industry experience for five Pacific arts practitioners across the motu.
Leki Jackson Bourke was an Oceania intern in 2018 and he has since been involved with Tautai as a guest speaker at intern alumni events and First Fridays.
First Fridays October 2019, Leki Jackson Bourke reads his play ‘Inky Pinky Ponky’ with Petmal Lam and Gaby Solomona
You don’t want to miss out on this incredible opportunity! Applications close March 19 2021.
TUI EMMA GILLIES – Change of alert levels affects exhibition at Tautai Gallery
Tui Emma Gilles exclusive interview on 531PI
Eteuati Eteuati talks with Tui Emma Gillies about how the latest Covid19 alert level changes has affected her and her mothers exhibition which was to open in Auckland’s Tautai gallery tomorrow night, Friday 19 February 2021
In light of Auckland’s level 3 lockdown from February 14 2021, a number of art shows and festivals are coming to a grinding halt once again.
The timing is certainly not great – and definitely a little ironic – for Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust’s next exhibition, Voyagers: The Niu World by New Zealand-based, Tongan mother-daughter combo Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows.
Tongan artists’ exhibition navigates the ‘Niu’ world on tapa
Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows & Tui Emma Gillies, Voyagers 2020
Voyagers: The Niu World showcases a collection of tapa artworks by award-winning Tongan artists Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and her daughter Tui Emma Gillies. Their collection was created during and after lockdown and reflects on the idea of navigating a changed world in the midst of a pandemic.
“We’re all voyaging at the moment through rough waters because we don’t know what our destination is going to be at the end of it,”
Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows & Tui Emma Gillies, Fāmili 2020
Sulieti and Tui chat to Lynn Freeman about the Coronavirus era and the way in which the word “bubble” has come to mean safety and sanctuary. But can bubbles also be cages, forcing families apart? This is one of the ideas explored by mother and daughter, New Zealand-based Tongan ngatu or tapa artists.
Mother-daughter team to open Pacific art gallery with lockdown journey on tapa art
Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows and her daughter Tui Emma Gillies’s Voyagers: The Niu World will be exhibited at the Tautai Pacific Art Gallery at Karangahape Rd in Auckland’s CBD
Sulieti and Tui sit down with Stuff’s Auckland Pasifika Affairs Reporter Torika Tokalau to share some insight into their upcoming exhibiton, Voyagers – The Niu World opening at Tautai Gallery soon!
“So to have it away from that traditional setting but still including it, and having it in a contemporary space – this is from the islands, from our ancestors – it’s saying that we belong up there too.“
Artist Spotlight: Hōhua Ropate Kurene and Natasha Ratuva
Moana Wall artists Hōhua Ropate Kurene and Natasha Ratuva talk about what connects us Moana people. They discuss the various methods and mediums they used to convey their understanding of space, whakapapa, diaspora and much more…
“As diaspora, you know our ancestors would navigate the seas by sailing but now we navigate these seas through aeroplanes… so we were thinking about that feeling when you get off the plane and you see your island or your whenua/vanua from the aeroplane window and you get off and it’s that feeling, that first breath you take when you step onto your land and it’s deep from the stomach, deep from the puku. It’s that sense of relief or joy or sometimes even pain or hurt, and we wanted to mimic that.”
Natasha Ratuva
The Moana Wall is located on East St, just down the road from Tautai Gallery. Their work ‘Inside the waves are Ocean bodies’ will be on display until May 2021!
MEDIA RELEASE | New exhibition at Tautai Gallery presents artists’ perspective on COVID-19 through tapa art
Tui Emma Gillies, Voyagers, 2020
Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust presents Voyagers: The Niu World, a new exhibition by New Zealand-based, Tongan artists Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows, opening Saturday 20 March.
Sulieti and Tui are a mother/daughter duo who
specialise in ngatu or tapa art. They explore contemporary issues through their
practice of tapa painting, which is embedded in the roots of the medium and
ancestors who practiced before them. For Voyagers: The Niu World, they
present a collection of tapa created during and after the COVID-19 lockdown in
Aotearoa New Zealand and reflect on the idea of navigating a changed world that
is in the midst of a pandemic.
Tui Emma Gillies says, “During lockdown, my mum,
Sulieti, came up from Auckland and stayed with me at my home in Kawakawa. We
used the opportunity to reflect on lockdown – on the ‘Niu World’ we found
ourselves in. We worked everyday making tapa in my studio, often accompanied by
the sound of my son Pele playing on the piano. How did Pacific Islanders deal
with isolation? The answer is simple: Fāmili.”
“That’s why we’ve asked my son Pele to play at the exhibition opening. He has only been playing for just over a year, but his practice was a constant and inspirational soundtrack while we worked on these pieces. He also represents a third generation of our family involved in this exhibition. Pele has composed a new work specially for the opening and we are transporting his baby grand piano from Kawakawa to Auckland so he can play it at Tautai,” says Tui.
Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows & Tui Emma Gillies, Fāmili 2020
Voyagers: The Niu World will include work depicting faces wearing tapa-patterned masks, families together in lockdown, three new 1.8-metre-wide paintings that present images of navigation and journey and two larger ngatu.
Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows says, “The waves have
never been bigger or more threatening, the storms have never been so savage,
the fires have never been so close and hot. And we are expressing this in the
medium we were brought up in, tapa painting, which has been passed down from
generation to generation by those people who made the original voyages and
their ancestors before them. This exhibition is dedicated to all us Voyagers
who are navigating the ‘Niu World.’”
Tautai Director, Courtney Sina Meredith says,
“We are beginning 2021 at Tautai by looking back at the year that has been
through the work and experiences of two amazing artists, Sulieti Fieme’a
Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies. Sulieti and Tui create unique, collaborative
works that embody the connection between generations, and with ancestors,
through a medium with a rich history.”
Voyagers: The Niu World has been supported by Creative New Zealand.
Exhibition details:
Voyagers: The Niu World Exhibition Preview: Friday 19 March at 6.00pm Exhibition Runs: Saturday 20 March – Saturday 22 May 2021 Tautai Gallery, Level 1, 300 Karangahape Road, Auckland Central Open 11am–4pm, Tuesday–Saturday
For further information, high-res image request and interviews, contact media@tautai.org
Developing future Pacific arts managers and leaders
After suspending our Internships for 2020 due to COVID-19 we are delighted to announce that we have re-launched our Tautai Oceania Internships Programme for 2021!
Applications are now closed for 2021.
Tautai is thrilled to open applications for the Tautai Oceania
Internships Programme 2021. The Programme is funded by Creative New Zealand and
proudly delivered by Tautai to develop future Pacific arts managers and
leaders, support Pacific arts infrastructure, and establish pathways for
emerging Pacific practitioners to build their arts management skills.
Cultural Safety Workshop with Tuakana, Teina and Host Organisations, 2019.
Five internships are available to Pasifika arts practitioners residing in Aotearoa across all disciplines that are keen to build their experience in arts administration. We are now inviting applications from suitably qualified, hard-working, enthusiastic and determined people who are serious about forging a career in the arts.
The Internships are paid and will run for 20 weeks, working 40 hours a
week. The 20 week placement needs to be completed between May – December 2021.
The Internship programme will operate on a Tuakana Teina model. Tuakana
(mentors) will look after our Teina (interns) – supporting them throughout the
duration of their Internship journey and strengthening their connections to the
wider Pacific arts sector.
Applicants must have a tertiary qualification and/or a minimum of three years continuous experience working within the arts. Tautai will work with the selected interns to align placements with appropriate host organisations throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
How to apply:
To apply to be an intern, please email a cover letter and a CV to tautai@tautai.org
Host EOI’s are now open
If your organisation is interested in hosting an intern, please send an email detailing your organisation and a draft job description to tautai@tautai.org
SALTWATER / Interconnectivity artist Peter Elavera speaks to his work Unity Wall which highlights West Papua’s struggle for freedom and self-determination, sharing the message that “West Papua’s freedom is will be Pacific’s freedom”.
On December 1st, Tautai hosted a solidarity event ‘One Solwara, One Love’, to commemorate what should be West Papuan Independence Day. As part of the event, Peter shared his message of solidarity with his West Papuan brothers and sisters.
And just like that, our TAUTAI FALE-SHIP Home Residencies have come to an end.
This year we delivered 20x FALE-SHIP residencies every week showcasing the brilliance of our Te moana nui a Kiwa artists living in Aotearoa!
Enjoy this beautiful tribute as we honour and celebrate our artists, our ancestors and community of people who awhi and support us everyday!
Mālō ‘aupito to our INCREDIBLE artists who shared their sacred spaces with us, we look forward to following your journeys into 2021 and beyond! Fa’afetai tele lava to our extraordinary Q&A facilitators for sharing time and holding space in the digital Moana.
This project was created during the unprecedented nationwide lockdowns in Aotearoa. Our artists shared their creative practices through a week-long residency, responding to a period of global transformation through a localised lens. Experienced digitally but grounded in the physical, the TAUTAI FALE-SHIP Home Residencies place value on the everyday experiences of Moana artists operating in their own centres.
Ioane is a Samoan multi-disciplinary artist living in Tāmaki Makaurau. His work is informed by his Samoan heritage and includes performance, film, painting, installation and sculpture. Ioane has won a number of significant arts awards throughout his career and his works are held in both private and public collections.
“I would describe my works or my mahi as things that occur in the space between. We all have or desires and fears and aspirations and challenges and when you go to exhibition you only see the glamour bit of it… but there’s a lot of discipline, hard work, hard mahi and sacrifices that goes in the lives of artists and that’s good to share that with people.”
Ioane Ioane
https://youtu.be/GbmmHkvQPeE
The concept surrounding Ioane’s Fale-ship is the significance of the Pe’a and Malu. In addition to this, the importance of one’s aiga. During his Residency his niece received her Malu and his mother celebrated her 90th birthday. Ioane documented these notable events to convey how they have informed his creative process throughout the weeklong Residency.
“The Malu and Pe’a are symbolically linked to the mental and spiritual welfare/health of Samoans. The constellation of stars of the malu and the vessel of the pe’a births the holistic matrix of life.”
IOANE IOANE
Watch Ioane’s short film which takes us on a personal journey into his life as an artist, father, uncle and loving son. He records his artistic process, from early sketches to the final product. We see beautiful images from his niece’s malu ceremony in Samoa, one of the people he has dedicated his Fale-ship to. Ioane also includes a mini vlog of his week, from exercising to spending time with his loved one’s and planning his mother’s 90th – to whom he also dedicated his Residency to.
https://youtu.be/GRYZM-DnmC8
Q+A Talanoa
Ioane and Lonnie sit down and talk in depth about what inspires him and his work.
https://youtu.be/AJigFD3p4Us
Lonnie – “What is inspiring you right now?”
Ioane – “Would be my mother. But she’s always been a support, supporting mechanism for me and my brothers… so a lot of the mahi that I am doing, like I was talking to you about the concept of the malu. I see the malu as a constellation of stars that guide the waka and the waka is symbolic of our men who have the helm of it tattoed on their body, the pe’a. So the men are the waka and they need the stars to guide them towards their destination. Our mother was like that for us and still is.”
Talanoa Q+A facilitated by: LONNIE HUTCHINSON Multi-disciplinary artist Samoan | Māori (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Kuri and Ngāi Tahu) Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa @lonnadonna
We are looking for people to join Tautai’s Ngāue ‘Ofa Volunteer team!
Artwork – ‘Sunshowers’ by Sione Monu (2020)
Located in Tamaki Makaurau, Aotearoa New Zealand – Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust is a charitable trust dedicated to championing Pacific arts and artists. We work to bring the community together through a range of events, activities, and exhibitions. Proudly supported by CNZ, Foundation North and Fetu Ta’i patrons, Tautai is able to provide unique opportunities for the Oceanic arts community.
This year we were excited to open Tautai Gallery and hub. For 2021, we are excited to extend our opening hours! Tautai Gallery will now be open from Monday – Saturday.
We’re looking for volunteers who can commit to at least one Saturday a month as a visitor host to manaaki our visitors, help to navigate the gallery / hub and occasionally support public programmes.
If you are interested there will also be an opportunity to help with our public events which happen regularly throughout the year, ranging from live performances to talanoa and exhibition openings.
The Tautai Aiga with friends and whānau at the gallery opening, July 2020 | Photo by Isoa Kavakimotu
First Fridays August 2020, one of Tautai’s regular events | Photo by Isoa Kavakimotu
Photo by Isoa Kavakimotu
As a Tautai Ngāue ‘Ofa volunteer you will gain practical experience in the arts sector, as well as learn from and build relationships within the Pasifika arts community.
If you are interested in becoming a Tautai Ngāue ‘Ofa we would love to hear from you!
Please fill out the form below or download it here, and send it to tautai@tautai.org
Applications are open all year round!
Vinaka, Fakaaue Lahi oue tulou, Fakafetai Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Tautai!
Ashleigh is multi-disciplinary artist who specializes in sculpture. Raised in West Auckland, she now lives and works in Wellington. Ashleigh is currently studying a Master of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland, and primarily makes hard material sculptures that respond to indigenous Pacific concepts of space and place. Ashleigh also does a lot of photography, drawing, and writing that often gets left in the research pile, but it is vital to her practice because it is a raw and felt documentation of the stories and places she encounters.
Ashleigh takes us on a journey through her various previous works and exhibitions. She also shares images from Ranui, where she was going to carry out her Residency before she relocated to Pōneke. We gain an insight into the types of materials and ideas Ashleigh channels in her practice.
“This project was about loss of cultural memory and recognition through migration and its subsequent intergenerational acculturation, but also sought to highlight the importance of intergenerational connections and oral tradition within Samoan culture to reimagine and recollect that which has been lost.”
Ashleigh Taupaki
Ashleigh’s final works from her Fale-ship:
Each drawing is partnered with a poem except the hibiscus poem. These works are about recapturing the stories and talanoa she exchanged with her grandmother during lockdown, she listened to her grandmother describe the plants and she drew what she imagine. These works emphasize the importance of intergenerational connections and oral traditions ingrained in Samoan culture.
moso’oi
moso’oi poems
laumaile
laumaile poem
ioa
ioa poem
hibiscus poem
Q+A Talanoa with Ashleigh and Naawie
Ashleigh and Naawie sit down to chat about the importance of oral histories to Pacific peoples and how it has influenced her art practice
Naawie:“When your Fale-ship Residency is eventually launched online what would you like people to take away from your work?”
Ashleigh: “I guess just helping people understand how important Pacific oral traditions are to Pacific peoples.”
Ni sa bula! On behalf of Tautai we want to thank you all for making the opening of the MOANA WALL such an incredible experience and special occasion!
Check out the photo gallery’s below!
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Fa’afetai lava to our matua Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua. Thank you for your continuous support and blessing us with your spiritual guidance. Fakafetai to our brilliant MC Daedae who commanded the stage with so much poise and grace and all of our speakers!
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We’d like to acknowledge our amazing SALTWATER / Interconnectivity artists Te Ara and Telly and curators Kat & Giles who joined the celebrations and came to support after their artist talk at Tautai Gallery.
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Fakaue lahi to our spectacular artists Natasha & Hōhua and curator Cora-Allan for creating the very first exhibition for the Moana Wall – ‘Inside the wave are ocean bodies’. The calibre of work you have created transcends time, worlds and oceans and we’re so happy to be part of your journey in this special project!
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Malo ‘aupito to our incredible performers – Samara Alofa, Church & AP and DJ Al’goodie on the decks! Each of you created the most epic vibe and the kept everyone in the highest spirits on Friday night!
Meitaki ma’ata to our amazing caterers – Fob BBQ, Boil-up Crew, Ika Bowl and Blue Rose! The Pasifika & Māori cuisine was undeniably a highlight of the night! Thank you for filling our bellies with that soul food!
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We are so grateful to our friends, family and community that showed up to support and look forward to making more memories together on the Tautai vaka!
Finally, thank you to the Link Alliance team and the beautiful partnership we have created from 2020-2023 to highlight the excellence of our Moana artists and share our culture on a public platform in the heart of Auckland City!
Tyla is a tatau practitioner, known for her unique ability to combine the contemporary with the traditional in her art. She emphases the importance of talanoa when it comes to her practice, her tattoos are more than just pictures, they symbolise one’s background and their identity. For Tyla, tatau is everything that is important to her such as art, family, community and history all in one. Tyla is widely renowned for her practice and is the first fafine to have been gifted the ‘au, a customary tatau tool.
Get an insight into Tyla’s tatau process, she explains the importance of talanoa and how working from home has brought a deeper meaning to her practice. She shares with us some images from her home sessions.
“Moving tatau “back” home has felt like an important move forward. The significance of place has also been evident as the many Pasifika families that come to receive tatau at our fale share their connection to Grey Lynn, a suburb that has a rich Moana history.”
Tyla Vaeau
Fale-ship Tatau Portrait Series
Part 1: Annalina Crosbie Elisefoe, Upolu
Annalina shares her experience of receiving tatau from Tyla!
“My dad was born in the village of Elisefoe
in the island of Upolu, Samoa, which is where my nana, his mother, is from.
This is where the Tusitala family is from, which is my father’s last name &
my middle name. My Pa (grandfather) is from the village of Fugalei just outside
of Apia on the island of Upolu, Samoa.
Me and my aiga have a special bond – one that I treasure the most in this
world. They are the first people I run to with good news and bad news, the
first people I want to share my success with, and the best people to laugh
with. They are my strength and the reason that I am who I am. I got my tatau to
acknowledge this, and to carry me forward – chest first – into my journey
ahead. My Grandparents and I had a really special relationship too. Both were
battling cancer for years before they passed, Nana in 2009 & Pa in 2018,
just days before my birthday. To have the same markings on my chest that were
on Pa’s Pe’a as well as markings for my Nana somewhat grounds me. It makes me
feel whole. I am a result of how my aiga have loved and nurtured me, and this
tattoo reminds me daily that I can achieve anything with my village behind me.
Fa’afetai lava Tyla for revealing my
markings. They mean more to me than words can express.”
Part 2: Saskia Strand-Saseve Lotofaga and Apia
Saskia explains to Tyla the many meanings behind her tatau.
“My tatau represents the strength I have found through other wxmen, while also representing and reminding me of my ancestors, and their strength, power and traditions.”
Part 3: Hiram Fa’alia Vaeau Salea’aumua, Safune
Hiram describes how his tatau has changed and expanded over the years.
“My sleeve tatau represents my connection to my aiga and culture. It started as a taulima by Tyla and grew to cover my arm over a few years, as my sleeve expanded so did my appreciation for tatau and my want to understand more about my Samoan heritage. The sleeve was completed when Tyla ka’d my hand using the ‘au, to receive these markings from my older sister makes it even more significant. I am proud of the work she is doing and feel fortunate to be on this journey with her, working alongside her in our family studio.”
Q+A Talanoa with Tyla and Leafa
Leafa:“When you’re tattooing…do you feel the hand of your ancestors?”
Tyla:“Yeah, I definitely…when I’m tattooing I know that I’m not working alone… especially when I’m working with the traditional tools.”
Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: LEAFA WILSON Performance artist/ Curator/Art Writer/ Director – Olga Sāmoan | Gafa: Vaimoso/Siumu/Fasito’otai Hamilton, Aotearoa IG: @bungaswehr | @olgaartspace
Natasha and Hōhua talk about their epic 60m site-specific artwork ‘Inside the wave are ocean bodies’, the first exhibition to be shown on the Moana Wall.
Video by 531pi Published online 3 December 2020 (source)
Witness the connection between artists Hōhua Kurene and Natasha Ratuva and how that collaboration translated into an epic 60m site-specific work Inside the wave are ocean bodies, curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe.
“We had to look inward, into our anatomy, into our limbs, into our breathing, into our organs and you’ll see that on the wall.” – Hōhua Kurene
Inside the waves are ocean bodies by Natasha Ratuva & Hōhua Kurene is on show until April 2021 at the Moana Wall
Raised in Fiji, multi-media creative Natasha is one of the two artists behind Tautai x Link Alliance’s MOANA WALL
Titled Inside The Wave Are Ocean Bodies will be the first mural displayed on the Moana Wall by Hōhua Ropate Kurene and Natasha Ratuva. Curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe, this piece will be able to be viewed from the East St Hoardings from 4 December 2020 – April 2021
Photograph by Hōhua Ropate Kurene, 2020
Ni sa bula vinaka, Natasha Ratuva (her/she) is an Indigenous digital artist and creative from Naioti, Kadavu and Bua on her maternal side. She was born and raised in Fiji and came to Tāmaki in 2012. Natasha is honoured to work in Aotearoa and celebrates her ancient ties to tangata whenua as Moana peoples. Creating as an unconquerable sum of both beautiful lineages, she is eternally grateful for her place amongst her ancestors past, present and future that are constantly referred to in her creative work. Natasha gives a special vinaka vakalevu to her parents and brothers Joji and Jone, who she learns from everyday and together share in the feast of their ancestral knowledge.
Pōneke born photographer and multi-media artist Hōhua, is one of two creatives behind Tautai x Link Alliance’s project the MOANA WALL
Titled Inside The Wave Are Ocean Bodies will be the first mural displayed on the Moana Wall by Hōhua Ropate Kurene and Natasha Ratuva. Curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe, this piece will be able to be viewed from the East St Hoardings from 4 December 2020 – April 2021
Photograph by Hohua Kurene, 2020
Talofa Lava, Hōhua Ropate Kurene (he/him) is a queer Indigenous artist specialising in photography, multimedia design & creative writing. He is of mixed Samoan, Māori & Afro-European heritage. Originally born in Porirua, Hōhua was raised in his Father’s village Luatuanu’u Samoa, and later in his Mother’s birthplace Ōtautahi, Aotearoa. Hōhua currently calls Tāmaki Makaurau his home under the guidance of his Arts Aiga the Fafswag Arts Collective and wider Tāmaki Whanau.
Christopher is an artist of Samoan (Siumu, Falelatai, Safotu), Niuean and German, descent currently based in Pōneke. He holds an MFA at Massey University and a Bachelor of Performance Design (Hons) from Massey University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. Ulutupu has developed solo projects at a number of galleries across Pōneke and Tāmaki Mākaurau. He also participated in the inaugural Hobart Biennale in 2017.
https://youtu.be/eY1j0RMVyv4
Christopher draws from and reflects upon personal relationships and experiences during his creative process. This theme is consistent across his bodies of work, the viewer can always identify a sense of identity and belonging in his chosen subject matter.
“My art practice is autobiographical by nature, referencing personal experiences of what it means to be a Samoan/Niuean/German artist, growing up in Aotearoa”
Christopher Ulutupu
Final Works
Beach
‘Beach‘ Filmed at Tahunanui Beach, Christopher’s sister recreated the popular Tiktok dance trend to ABBA’s ‘Lay All Your Love On Me’.
“This project is about Pacific diasporic identity, which cannot exclude the influence of Fanau. Their participation is integral to my process, and the quality of this new work – without their presence my ideas will become hypothetical; resulting in a very different work.”
Christopher Ulutupu
Church Steps
‘Church Steps’ Christopher’s sister channels the 1980s as she lip syncs in a wedding dress on the steps of a church in the centre of town. Here we see where Christopher is employing themes and influences from film noir, the scene alludes to Gothicism through the subject matter yet is playful and irreverent.
https://youtu.be/r12H_85-zeo
Saltwater Pools
‘Saltwater Pools’ The final video work from Christopher’s Fale-ship. He films his sisters Ashley and Fame relaxing and conversing at the tourist hotspot, the saltwater pools. Here we gain insight into his family life, memories and experiences.
https://youtu.be/TaUEWwMgRRM
Q+A talanoa with Christopher & Leafa
Leafa and Christopher sit down and talk about collaborating with whanau and the importance of sharing lived experiences.
Leafa:“How important is it to showcase the lived experiences of Moana artists?”
Christopher:“I think it’s super important… I guess under our current global climate, the marginalised need avenues to be able to voice those opinions and I think it’s important that initiatives like this help promote those voices.”
Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: LEAFA WILSON Performance artist/ Curator/Art Writer/ Director – Olga Sāmoan | Gafa: Vaimoso/Siumu/Fasito’otai Hamilton, Aotearoa IG: @bungaswehr IG: @olgaartspace
Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust and Link Alliance are proud to present the MOANA WALL.
An outdoor exhibition space located on East Street’s hoardings surrounding the Karangahape Station construction site. Tautai will curate and project manage the outdoor exhibitions from 2020 – 2023. The 70m hoardings will be transformed into the MOANA WALL using the existing infrastructure as a canvas that highlights contemporary Pasifika artists and celebrates the diverse community of Karangahape Road.
The MOANA WALL aims to highlight a significant era of Karangahape Road’s history and its lasting connection to Pasifika communities today.
The grand opening will be held on Friday 4 December celebrating its first exhibition Inside the wave are ocean bodies by artists Natasha Ratuva and Hōhua Ropate Kurene, curated by Cora-Allan Wickliffe. The exhibition will remain until April 2021.
‘This new site specific work is an exploration of the crucial mechanisms that inform our connections as Moana communities. Through photographic, digital media and poetry Hōhua and Natasha created a narrative that celebrates the connections of their Fiji, Samoan and Māori whakapapa.’
Hōhua Ropate Kurene
Natasha Ratuva
On Friday 4 December we will reveal the MOANA WALL to the public for the first time, followed by an evening of outdoor festivities on East Street which includes food stalls, live performances and more!
Having over 15 years working in the fashion industry
Rawiri aims to highlight the skilled craft and creative process involved in garment
and textile making which is often overlooked and relegated to people’s bedroom
floors.
Rawiri is drawn
to design and textiles due to its close relationships with evocation,
nostalgia, ceremony, tradition, ability to imbue power or authority through textiles’
everyday objects and applications.
Get a glimpse into Rawiri’s creative process as he shares his ‘messy workroom’ and the inspiration behind his capsule collection entitled ‘Happy Endings’.
“I am drawn to the medium’s ability to evoke memories, imbue meaning and help form or alter perceptions and identities with functional objects”
Rawiri Brown
Watch this compilation video of Rawiri’s artistic process! These little snippets draw inspiration from his experience with the current climate. Entitled ‘Happy Endings’ has an overarching theme of an idealised utopia masking actual reality. Tongue and check references of his hometown’s logo and what parallels of life was like for himself in 2007’s Global Financial Crisis. He then shares with us the ways in which he experiments with his found objects to make beautiful and sustainable garments.
We are excited to share Rawiri’s final work! Made as a response to today’s current climate with tongue and cheek references to his hometown Rawiri Brown presents the capsule collection ‘Happy Endings’ created during his Fale-ship residency!
https://youtu.be/4fV_ZRkPR0Y
“Employing a hyper saturated colour palette to the point of almost looking garish; incorporating found materials to reinforce narrative and using textiles considered tacky, or cheap to produce a collection with high end finishings and craftsmanship.”
Rawiri Brown
Q+A talanoa with Rawiri & Leafa
Leafa and Rawiri sit down to talk about the processes behind developing a fashion collection.
https://youtu.be/Vb9aY2z08XU
Leafa: “So can you tell us a bit about your creative process during your Tautai Fale-ship?” Rawiri: “I love coming up with the ideas and concepts behind a new collection…aesthetically at the moment I like juxtaposition of using already sourced or discarded things that aren’t considered valuable and turning them into something desirable.”
Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: LEAFA WILSON Performance artist/ Curator/Art Writer/ Director – Olga Sāmoan | Gafa: Vaimoso/Siumu/Fasito’otai Hamilton, Aotearoa IG: @bungaswehr IG: @olgaartspace
Talofa lava! Introducing multi-disciplinary artist Fa’amele Etuale.
Samoan | Chinese South Auckland, Aotearoa IG: @faameleetuale
Fa’amele is a self taught artist, Pacific contemporary jeweller and a maker of all things creative.
O lo’u igoa o Fa’amele Etuale, I am of Samoan and Chinese descent. I live and make Art in my beautiful home of Otara, South Auckland.
My father comes from Laulii Suaniu Tala’ave Filipo, my two beautiful mothers come from Leufisa and Malie their names were Teleise Grace Filipo and Lainaimalae Filipo. I am the Eldest of 8 siblings, I am married to Gasu Apelu Ilemaleota Etuale who is from Tufulele I have 4 beautiful children.
Fa’amele emphasises the importance of documenting and trailing her designs before making the finished work! She gives us an insight into her home studio and her step-by-step creative process, from her sketches to her final lei designs!
“There’s a process, and the process for me is the most important part about creating the work.”
Fa’amele Etuale
‘The Promise’
‘The Promise’ is both relatable yet deeply personal to Fa’amele. It is a testament to the shared experience of migration from the Islands to Aotearoa and Australia. She captures the feelings of excitement, the unknown and of course the notion of ‘promise’. This painting holds meanings beyond just this for Fa’amele, it is also a dedication to her late mother-in-law Fili, who inspired her everyday. Swipe right to read more about this beautiful and significant artwork.
The Promise, 2020
“I heard my own voice, it blocked out all the noise of whatever is happening on social media, whatever people are doing, whatever people think. Everything around me just closed.”
Fa’amele Etuale
Q+A with Fa’amele and Marie
Fa’amele and Marie discuss the importance of being true to oneself and making art that is important to you and your loved ones.
@mariefilipomusic – “So when your residency launches online, what do you want people to take away from it?” @faameleetuale – “I want to tell all the artists out there, that don’t have a voice, that don’t have a platform…that there are people out there, like myself, that are here…Never let anyone tell you to stop doing what’s in your heart. That’s all I want people to take away from my Fale-ship.”
Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: Marie Filipo Musician, Motivational Speaker Samoan/Chinese South Auckland, Aotearoa IG: @marie_filipo | @mariefilipomusic
Michel is one of the very few professional Pasifika comic artists. With a growing international fanbase, he enjoys sharing his stories with people from all over the globe.
Michel Mulipola is a Sāmoan comic book artist/pro wrestler/semi-pro gamer born and raised on the mean streets of Māngere, South Auckland. His grandfather’s villages are Lefaga, Iva and Manono and his grandmother’s villages are Papa Sātaua, Faleasiu, Vaimoso and Sinamoga.
He has illustrated works for the WWE, Marvel Comics, 2K Games ANZ, SIS Show, Sky TV, Pasifika Heroes Books and NZ School Journals amongst many other things.
Michel’s art practice of illustrating comic stories is one that is popular amongst consumers but rarely practiced by Pasifika artists. In fact, he is one of the very few professional Pasifika comic artists and if you Google “Samoan comic artist,” he is featured in the top results. Pasifika people are naturally gifted storytellers telling their stories through different mediums, Michel’s medium happens to be comic books. Comics are often misunderstood as an art style, superheroes or a genre but in reality, it is a storytelling medium
Get an insight into Michel’s creative workspace and daily surroundings that inspire him. He also shares with us some awesome snapshots from his previous works as well as a sneak peek into the new works he created as part of his Fale-ship residency!
“The opportunity to share my process of making comics and breaking down its nuances and intricacies is why I applied to take part in Tautai’s Fale-ship Home Residency programme”
Michel Mulipola
Check out Michel’s twitch time-lapse, depicting the creation of his comic he created for his Fale-ship, ‘O Le Aiga Samoa.’ Head to our youtube to see the full time-lapse or to Michel’s twitch account for the full livestream where he explains how he designs his comics and where he gets his inspiration!
https://youtu.be/poQn8M-5Gdk
“In sharing my process so publicly on Twitch, I aimed to demystify the comics artform and make myself available to any artists or casual viewers who wish to pick my brain on the creative process”
– Michel Mulipola
Q+A with Michel and Leafa
Michel chats all about his experiences at Comicon in San Diego and what inspires him to be an illustrator!
Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: LEAFA WILSON Performance artist/ Curator/Art Writer/ Director – Olga Sāmoan | Gafa: Vaimoso/Siumu/Fasito’otai Hamilton, Aotearoa IG: @bungaswehr IG: @olgaartspace
“Memory is such a powerful thing. I could have the sad story of – I was taken away from my culture, I was taken away from Tonga… but I think if culture is strong enough it will never leave you and as you can see, you are the culture.”
He is now based in Auckland after growing up
in London, where he was a member of Ngāti Ranana-Maori Cultural Group, Maramara
Totara-London based Taiaha Roopu and Beats of Polynesia Dance group. Salvador first
blew the pū (conch) at the age of 4 and has had a love affair with Taonga Puoro
ever since. Photography and Videography are his second love, shooting stills on
film sets to documenting SaVĀges and Sisters.
Salvador was raised surrounded by the Pasifika
arts scene as a child of one of the Pacific Sisters, who he often collaborates
with. He participated in the Inaugural London SaVĀge K’lub in 2011 and went on
to document them for the Queensland Art Gallery’s 8th Pacific
Triennial of Contemporary Art in 2015. Horomona Horo is currently mentoring him
as he develops a research project “Fagu Tagi – Bottled Sound” a
comparative study of Maori and Samoan musical instruments for the Pacific
Sisters.
Highlights of his artistic practice include Kaiwhakatangi at the opening celebrations for the acclaimed Pacific Sisters: Fashion Activists exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery. Acti.VA.tor for In*ter*is*land Collective in London for the Oceania exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris (2019) and Workshop leader at Volkenkunde Museum Netherland Maori Week with his London whanau Te Kohanga Reo o Rānana in 2018.
https://youtu.be/cJJqbC-20xE
Get an insight into Salvador’s creative workspace in Westmere and the process of diving into the digital moana to create the sound bed work ‘DigiTā VāSā’.
“…diving into our cultural practices and processes has helped me understand myself in the world we live in.”
Salvador Brown
Salvador takes us on a visual journey, sharing the process behind creating his final sound bed work ‘DigiTā VāSā’
https://youtu.be/de9BBV96bOc
CREDITS: Shot on the Waitematā (Obsidian Waters) | Acknowledgements to the mana whenua
Pūtātara named Te Kupenga ā Kiva | Brought to life by Thomas Carroll, Tahiarii Pariente and Kanaloa
Tatau Gogo by Emine Jones-Burke Atualoa by Mokonuiarangi Smith Fe’e by Croc Tatau
Camera operated by Kerry Brown Sound design and video editing by Sālvādor Brown
Returning to his geographical home of Auckland and deepening his connection to his ancestral home of Samoa, Salvador responds through the sound bed ‘DigiTā VāSā’ created during his Fale-ship residency!
https://youtu.be/bY49a5hQhwc
<< Recommended listening on headphones in a quiet calm space, close to water if possible >>
Sounds: Tā Tatau – Mokonuiarangi Smith Pūtātara named Te Kupenga ā Kiva – Brought to life by Thomas Carroll, Tahiarii Pariente and Kanaloa Mamapū named Lonetona – Made from Ofe (Bamboo) brought to life by Sālvādor Brown Early morning Manu (Birds)
Digital Sounds: Pink noise, Brown noise, Arcade synthesizer, Arcade Bass guitar, Digital Glitches, Electro Magnetic Interference
Q+A talanoa with Salvador & Marie…
Salvador chats with Marie about the digital moana and how his whānau inspires him.
https://youtu.be/ERRsBqeOzWs
Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: Marie Filipo Musician, Motivational Speaker Samoan/Chinese South Auckland, Aotearoa IG: @marie_filipo | @mariefilipomusic
Her multi-cultural background heavily influences her work and how she sees the world. She does everything from smearing paint on canvas to hot gluing feathers on self-made regalia to covering herself in fake blood just to tell her stories. She tenaciously teaches herself new skills, to create bigger and better work that touches its viewers. Her residency took place right in her backyard in Grey Lynn, Auckland.
Melissa provides insight into her artistic process. She captures her academic research and how this is both reflected in and informs her creativity.
” It feels like some of the most important work I do includes a mixture of calamity and luck to create…”
Melissa Gilbert
Take a behind scenes look into Melissa’s final video work ‘Atua Otua Kalou’ she created for Fale-ship residency. With help from her friend Shanie, Melissa has documented her creative process – from research, to making, to experimenting with space, light and sound.
Watch Melissa’s final work ‘Atua Otua Kalou‘ moving image, running time 02:13, Dimensions 1920 × 1080, 2020, Filming by Shanie Prasad.
https://youtu.be/95etS4Yv4Vc
In my FALE-ship work I’ve focused on my journey with spiritualism
and shamanism. Shamanism, for me, is about healing.
In my academic
studies of the practice of shamanism, there is a common thread of the
initiation experience across multiple cultures. The prospective
shaman passes out and is pulled down to Puluto (or the
cultures version of the underworld) and shown images of their physical
body being ripped apart in front of their eyes and
put back together again. This happens so they
may learn how to heal themselves and ultimately others. They
then gain consciousness and begin practicing as a shaman with
the new acquired knowledge.
The words “Atua”, “Otua”, “Kalou” translates to God in Maori, Samoan, Tongan and Fijian. The first section of the video is depicting meditative chanting that helps the shaman submit to the force that takes them under. The second half of the moving image depicts the shaman conversing with their ancestors in Puluto (show through the text). I also paid respects to the Maori concept of Te Kore with the deep shadows and ambiguous audio. The aesthetic of the ancestor covered in blood, also pays homage to Lilith, the divine feminine.
Q+A with Melissa and Marie
Marie discusses challenges Melissa faced during her residency and how maintaining a positive mindset is the key to success!
Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: Marie Filipo Musician, Motivational Speaker Samoan/Chinese South Auckland, Aotearoa IG: @marie_filipo | @mariefilipomusic
Courtney Sina Meredith performing at LIP(S). Photo: Sait Akkirman.
Our society is changing and so are the types of leaders we seek to entrust with power.
The imperative to empower the most disenfranchised and marginalized among us has revealed a large gap in the arts and culture leadership, while exposing limited knowledge on how to tackle the ongoing problems of systemic racism and structural injustices in our society and the communities we identify with.
For Courtney Sina Meredith, author, performer and the Director of Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust – Aotearoa’s leading contemporary Pacific arts organisation – this is the space she feels most comfortable in. It’s a space she understands well through lived experience, as a respected figure in the arts and as an accomplished multidisciplinary artist in her own right. The artist and the administrator entwined, a chimera of the dreamer and the doer.
“Where I am now in my life is where I’ve been for a very long time – inside the wave. As a writer and performer, I’ve had the great blessing of documenting the sea salt, struggles, genetic memory and amazing ambition from within. I believe in the future my grandparents and great-grandparents left Samoa and Rarotonga to pursue.
“Family is everything to me, it is the foundation of who I am as a creative, as a leader in the arts, as a new parent and someone more interested in doing the right thing behind closed doors than highlighting the performance of expected leadership in the public realm.”
Willing to serve
Courtney Sina Meredith. Photo: Janet Lilo.
As we are faced with a time of unknowns, we are also in the greatest time for learning and doing things differently. Leading the way in this time of great change may be easier for some than for others but this leader never dilutes that the struggle is indeed very real, if you are willing to truly serve your community.
“Leadership isn’t glamorous at all – it’s a lot of planning and pukumahi. I’ve retained my spirit by understanding that sacrifice is the greatest art form. Look at what’s created through the hope for something more.
Courtney Sina Meredith – How about being a Woman, 2019. Photo: Sait Akkirman.
“I’ve always believed that a true artist creates artistic opportunities for others. I turned down many opportunities to be my own artist because the fork in the road ahead meant a win for myself or a win for somebody else. That doesn’t make me a martyr – I think it makes me, by my own personal code, the sort of artist I’ve always wanted to become.
“When I see Moana creatives come into Tautai and they light up because they feel so seen and so comfortable – and every piece of art, every space, every book reflects and affirms their very being – those are the moments I breathe out and let myself feel a tiny piece of the enormity of it all.”
Dedication
Meredith and Tautai’s founding patron Fatu Feu’u. Photo: Courtney Sina Meredith.
“I’ve never dug so deep as I have for the love of this community. I was confident I could bring the Trust back to good health, in the way you nurse a loved one. That was a metaphor I returned to often. Yes, I had a 12-month, 6-month, 90-day and 30-day business plan – crossing those things off with my team was actually so emotional – but I also just treated the Trust like an elder who needed my time.
“Slowly, gently, it was like this entity in the crook of my arm that couldn’t be left alone, regained colour in its cheeks with daily nourishment. People returned, the memory returned of who Tautai was and why.
“I am powered by my belief in the power of my people. Whether or not Moana artists want to engage with Tautai is their choice but I‘d rather exist in a time where it is a choice and not a consistent inequity that is glaringly obvious.”
Blu-tack & Chicken scrawl
This is clearly the case of not being afraid to talk about the hard work and sacrifice it took to get the Trust and the team to where they are now. It’s about the visibility of difficult conversations and the hard work of the days and months that followed. Here is a leader that knows she is not alone and that her sacrifice is most certainly not unnoticed.
“I’ve poured every drop of love into Tautai that I possibly could. Love-led leadership looked like practically living at the office in the first 6-12 months, with family dropping off food in the weekends and sitting with me in the office with print outs and sheets of papers covered in my chicken scrawl blu-tacked to the walls, backs of doors, in piles around the meeting room.
“It completely overtook me – this instinct to secure the Trust. I put myself into a very vulnerable space but I was determined to succeed. I understood it would take time and so I just settled in for the long haul. Some days were a lot harder than others but the good days were especially great and I held onto that.”
Purpose-built, built with purpose
Building the future on broken foundations is a difficult and potentially dangerous path. It can only be achieved by rebuilding upon new, healthy foundations. For Tautai Trust, they appear to be brightly lit, glistening like a newly shed skin. The new space with the expanded footprint is a vessel for artists to exhibit and gather but also a home dwelling centered on the Pacific community and their role in the contemporary arts practice. It is no wonder they are celebrating this visible and transformational success.
Meredith with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at Tautai’s official opening. Photo: Cass Marrett.
“In two years we have expanded our space triple-fold, establishing Tautai Gallery which was officially opened this year by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, held our first indigenous collaborative show across the Tasman at Blak Dot Gallery, increased our funding by 94%, had two clear financial audits, brought on Pacific accountants, Pacific auditors, Pacific caterers, a range of Pacific suppliers and built partnerships with many thought leaders here and around the globe.
“This realm has always been my church, my spaceship, my happy place but it’s not easy to make a life in the arts and this is something I’m passionate about changing.
“Now that the horizon has come to us and we are piercing the walls of many heavens together, I feel that I can finally take a step back and learn to live in the fale we were able to build thanks to our incredible funders at Creative New Zealand, Foundation North, our Fetu Ta’i patrons and the endless alofa of many Pacific creatives who came home to Tautai with open arms and open hearts – ready to take on the world.”
Tautai is a repository of knowledge and understanding for the communities it serves while consistently reaching beyond their core audience.
Although it is now a physical space, it refuses the colonial impulse to collect and obscure its mission by caring for objects. Its foundations are strong and enabled by inclusion and centering of non-western bodies and spaces.
It does not shy away from real politics, it invites it.
If most public institutions have a legacy that is tainted by long genealogies of violence and institutional injustice, public spaces like Tautai are here to spread their new fresh approach by injecting the personal into our art lives. If anyone could be 2020-ready to rethink the entire model of what cultural institutions do and are, it is Courtney Sina Meredith leading Tautai with clear focus and new constellations to steer their vaka towards.
Written by Dina Jezdic for The Big Idea (source) Published online 14 October, 2020
Fakaue lahi to everyone who came through on Thursday night to support, witness and celebrate an incredible exhibition!
Check out the photo gallery’s below!
‘SALTWATER / Interconnectivity’ is such a special show and we acknowledge Katharine and Giles for their vision and bringing together this group of talented artists. To Telly, Te Ara, Shawnee, Peter, Kat and Gutiŋarra, we are so honoured to have each of your works in the gallery.
Fa’afetai tele lava to everyone who made Thursday such a special night. A huge shout out to the extraordinary performers – Fili and Noah from 4TK, Ankaramy and the LALO crew and Rosanna Raymond.
Ngā mihi nui ki a koe to the community for coming out and sharing in the celebrations with us, this space is for you and we hope to see you all again soon!
“SALTWATER/Interconnectivity foretells Tautai’s ongoing commitment to artists from Te Moana Nui a Kiwa. Presenting an understanding of reality in the present – within urban and sacred realms: the ever-flowing Moana/Solwara connects us all.”
An innovator of the contemporary Pasifika art scene, a long-standing member of the art collective Pacific Sisters, and founding member of the SaVAge K’lub. Raymond’s practice works with people, spaces and things to acti.VA.te a dynamic relationship between them, to realise and reshape the ta-va duality.
4TK (4 Tha Kulture)
South Auckland based indigenous environmentalist group of youth who are committed to advocating against climate change through the lens that considers minorities. We rise for and ride out 4 Tha Kulture
LALO
Humiliation in return for Forgiveness. Accept it or not. LALO (below) takes you through the Samoan custom ‘Ifoga’. A formal apology where one seeks forgiveness from another by bowing down and humbling themselves. The offender appears covered in an ‘ie toga’ (fine mat). The only way forgiveness is granted is if the victim lifts the ‘ie toga from the offender.
Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu (b. 1997, lives and works in Yirrkala, NT, Australia) is an Indigenous artist of the Gumatj clan, Yirritja moiety, and Buymarr homeland, working with film and digital media to capture the stories of his kin. Despite being deaf since birth he has managed to overcome many barriers. From 2015 he has worked at The Mulka Project in Yirrkala, as a Project Officer and filmmaker, often travelling out to Yolŋu homelands where he regularly films cultural ceremonies and events.
Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu, Gurruṯu’mi Mala (My Connections) – 2019
Gutiŋarra was awarded the 2019 Telstra NATSIAA Multimedia Award for his 6k filmwork Gurruṯu mi’ mala (My Connections) which demonstrates his connections to his people and his country through the Yolŋu kinship-system of gurruṯu. In this artwork he reveals his position in the world of gurruṯu through his first language, barrkuŋu waŋa (language from a distance) Yolŋu sign language. Gurruṯu’mi mala was also exhibited at AGSA as part of Tarnanthi 2019 and has received great interest due to the fascinating concept underlying this art piece and his history as a film maker and artist. 2019 was an exceptional year for Gutiŋarra as he was also a finalist for the NT Young Australian of the Year Awards.
“Gurruṯu’mi Mala demonstrates my connections to my family, my people and my country through the Yolŋu kinship system of gurruṯu. Gurruṯu not only links me to my clan and my homeland, but to all clans and their homelands. Gurruṯu dictates my connections and relationships to all Yolŋu… past, present and future.”
Multi-disciplinary artist Te Ara draws from her Ipu Karea in her practice, making art using the natural materials from the waterways that surround her home in Waiuku.
Māku e kī atu, he rite tonu ki te toto o ōku tūpuna.
Te Ara Minhinnick
The work of Te Ara Minhinnick centres around the alliances of people, space, and place, stemming from her Ipu Karea – the ancestral homelands of her Iwi, Ngāti Te Ata. Te Ara emphasises a responsibility in this by employing methods of practice that offer ‘wayfinding’ vessels into the contemporary realities of Mātauranga Māori.
Te Ara grew up often scolded by her aunties for playing bull rush out the front of her Marāe in Waiuku. She is a Kohanga and Kura Kaupapa Māori pēpi. Who is now, currently undertaking a Masters of Fine Arts at Whitecliffe College. Most recently, Te Ara facilitated a series of wānanga for her first solo show titled TAU (to find grounding) at Audio Foundation.
Shawnee Tekii uses art as a tool to create social engagement. Often tackling the political issues that surround the community. The digital age plays a large role in underpinning her practice. Shawnee’s work is often influenced by mainstream media and through the use of bold aesthetics and Instagram worthy graphics, she aims to communicate her political agenda directly to audiences of her generation. Her work encourages the use of mobile phones to either document or activate deeper conceptual content. She often draws inspiration from graphic design in advertising and branding – resulting in bold, attention seeking works.
“The development of social media and data configuration has influenced how we react, think, move and perceive the world.”
Peter Elavera’s style of work is a fusion of pop art, street graffiti art, elements and principles of graphic design, symbolism, patterns and fine arts.
He is currently a leader in modern contemporary urban street art in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG). His artwork incorporates social activism statements on issues of injustice, inequality and conservation of the natural environment. His interest in harnessing the potency of street art, and enhancing its application started in 2007.
