EXHIBITIONS
Latest Exhibition
Selau Pasege
George Funaki, Jasmine Tuiā, Jimmy Ma’ia’i
15th February–5th April
Join us for the opening event on Fri 14th February | 6–8pm
Summary
Curated by George Funaki, Selau Pasege offers an intimate glimpse into the richness of Pacific cultural treasures, or measina, and their enduring significance to Pacific communities. At the heart of this exhibition, artists Jasmine Tuiā and Jimmy Ma’ia’i, supported by Funaki’s moving image work, bring together their distinct artistic practices in collaboration, creating a dialogue that explores how Tāmaki Makaurau’s Pacific communities define their identities in a climate of underrepresentation and marginalisation. Selau Pasege celebrates the inherent culture that remains a constant for these communities as they adapt and excel despite these limitations.
Measina encompasses both tangible and intangible heritage—from traditional objects such as tapa, tools, and artifacts to the values, practices, and knowledge passed down through generations. Tuiā, Ma’ia’i, and Funaki breathe contemporary life into these traditions, combining time-honoured Pacific techniques with modern influences to examine current perspectives and experiences.
Selau Pasege invites viewers to reflect on the profound ways heritage shapes us—both as individuals and as members of a collective community.
Artists
George Funaki an inter-disciplinary artist based in Tamaki Makaurau, initially established himself within the fashion industry as an independent designer and freelance project manager.
Concurrently, he has dedicated the past three years to refining his practice in creative direction, which has expanded into curation. His efforts aim to present a nuanced interpretation of the queer Pacific framework, specifically leiti, relevant to the experiences of New Zealand-born Pacific people.
Jasmine Tuiā, born in Apia Sāmoa is a tapa maker who uses embroidery to think about Sāmoan material culture and memory. From the villages of Matautu Lefaga, Falefa Anoama’a and Malifa Sāmoa, Jasmine explores her familial connections to these places through Sāmoan storytelling techniques and her siapo practice. Her work passions revolve around community arts access and facilitation.
Jimmy Ma’ia’i is an installation artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland whose practice utilises found objects and materials, and the readymade. Of Sāmoan and Scottish descent, Ma’ia’i draws upon mixed-heritage experiences, cultural dislocation and the impact of colonisation in his artworks. Recent exhibitions include Spring Time is Heart-break: Contemporary Art in Aotearoa, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū (2023-24) and Ocean of Whispers, Enjoy Contemporary Art Space (2022-23).
Past Exhibitions
-
A Seat at the Table
Teuila Fatupaito, Latamai Katoa, Sisi Panikoula, Brett Taefu, and Daedae Tekoronga-Waka.
Dec 5 – Dec 20 2024
-
Solesolevaki
Solesolevaki, initiated by artist-curator Vasemaca Tavola, explores the concept of solesolevaki as a tool to enable connection and intergenerational cultural transmission, across four generations of one family. Featuring works by Lanuola Mereia Aniseko, Ella Carling, Tiana Carling, Mereia Carling, Mereia Sauvukivuki, Helen Tavola, Kaliopate Tavola and Vasemaca Tavola. Exhibition design by Christian Carling.
-
When it Feels Over
Christopher Ulutupu
TAUTAI Pacific Arts Trust, in collaboration with CIRCUIT Artist Moving Image, is pleased to present Leave room for Jesus... (2023) and The Pleasures of Unbelonging (2023) moving image work by Christopher Ulutupu.
-
Grasping the Horizon
Cora-Allan Lafaiki Twiss
In this exhibition Cora-Allan Lafaiki Twiss’ connection to the black lines of her ancestors are opened wider with a range of new patterns and new hiapo compositions.
-
Good Hair Day
Good Hair Day curated by Luisa Tora explores urban narratives around hair. Featuring artists Bali Buliruarua, Māia Piata Rose Week, Nââwié Tutugoro, Karlin Morrison Raju and Peter Seeto Wing.
-
Titiro ki muri, kia whakatika ā mua | Look to the past to proceed to the future
Coinciding with the Hōteke (winter) holidays, this programme has been organised by Hana Pera Aoake and Tautai Pacific Arts Trust.
-
Queen Fiapoto: switch, code, reverse
Queen Fiapoto: switch, code, reverse is an exercise of agency by 5 young Samoan women. The multidisciplinary project is presented by the sugaz of Malae/Co.
-
The Last Kai
The Last Kai exhibition cleverly uses familiar religious iconography from within Pacific homes to bring up current discussions around women’s representation and the role of Christianity in the modern Pacific household.
-
683 Baby xo
683 Baby xo examines the complexities of being New Zealand-born Niueans, craving that connection to their Niuean heritage while acknowledging their perspective as diaspora youth. Featuring work by Dahlina Taueu, Quentin Tauetau-Tohitau and Kordell Cameron.
-
Taputapu Ātea
Taputapu Ātea is an installation of new paintings and digital works that explore the artificially intelligent future of our culture’s materialisation.
-
Haus of Memories
Haus of Memories is a multidisciplinary residency project led by Studio Kiin that explores and gathers fragments of how we archive and draw upon memory to honour our future past.
-
lean into the pain: archive of a tatau thesis
Award-winning producer and sound artist Anonymouz presents a deeply personal multimedia exhibition that explores his thesis on the Indigenous practice of tatau being an analogue metaphor, philosophy and framework for lived experience.
-
The Water Tastes Different Here
In*ter*is*land Collective, a misfit collection of queer, moana artists and activists based in London, UK and in Aoteraoa New Zealand, present their first exhibition in Aotearoa at Tautai Gallery.
-
Toitū Te Moana
Hawaiki, the ancestral homeland, is the beginning point for Toitū Te Moana, and the place from which the artists’ mātauranga, their knowledge, descends.
-
Oh My Ocean
Curated by Nigel Borrell, this exhibition includes work by Rawiri Brown, Fa’amele Etuale, Ioane Ioane, Elisabeth Kumaran, Sani Muliaumaseali’i, Michel Mulipola, Iata Peautolu, Keva Rands and Chris Van Doren.
-
Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti
Moana Waiwai Moana Pāti celebrates the diversity of Pacific creatives, and includes film, digital image-making, painting, tatau, poetic prose, sonic landscapes and performance.
-
Voyagers: The Niu World
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.
-
Saltwater / INTERCONNECTIVITY
Tautai Gallery is transformed to embody the Moana / Solwara worldview
-
Moana Wall
The 70m hoardings were 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.
-
Moana Legacy
Tautai’s first exhibition in its new gallery space, the show was developed from an existing partnership with Blak Dot Gallery, Naarm (Melbourne) featuring Tagata Moana artists working in both Aotearoa and Australia.
