A new exhibition of Pacific artists invites people to take another look at the contrast of white and black, the personal expression of identity and wider issues of race and ethnicity.

Flat White, Black Pearl is being shown in Auckland as part of the month-long Celebrate Pasifika festival. Atypical of your usual expectation of Pacific culture in the visual arts, it will only feature works that are in black and white. A new exhibition of Pacific artists invites people to take another look at the contrast of white and black, the personal expression of identity and wider issues of race and ethnicity.

Flat White, Black Pearl is being shown in Auckland as part of the month-long Celebrate Pasifika festival. Atypical of your usual expectation of Pacific culture in the visual arts, it will only feature works that are in black and white.With almost 50 artists participating in the show, there are bound to be a few surprises about how the artists have chosen to express their 'colour' and cultural identity when confined to neutral tones.

"Work has been selected because it is black and/or white, or shades of grey," explains Jim Vivieaere who has curated the exhibition along with Leanne Clayton, herself an emerging artist and first-time curator.

While the curators concentrate on creating the physical and intellectual experience of the exhibition, the artists determine their own views on issues of race and identity as Pacific artists.

In 'Flat White, Black Pearl', although there may be a "colour bar" on the artwork - limited to shades of black, white and grey - there are no limits as to how innovative, expressive, white or black, ordinary or gorgeous the artists choose to be.

The exhibition runs from 1 - 22 March at Te Karanga Gallery on Karangahape Road, Auckland. This exhibition is a www.tautai.org Tautai initiative, supported by funding from Creative Communities and part of Auckland City Council's www.celebratepasifika.com Celebrate Pasifika 2008.

Image: 'A Frame' by Gua Loheni