Following their successful debut in Fiji earlier in July, six emerging Manukau artists showcase their work locally with the opening of the (Re)Locating Home exhibition at Fresh Gallery Otara.

The exhibition was well received in Fiji where it showed in conjunction with the Pacific Epistemologies Conference, "Vaka Vuku: 'Navigating Knowledge' held at the University of the South Pacific.

Image: Photographic work by Vinesh KumaranFollowing their successful debut in Fiji earlier in July, six emerging Manukau artists showcase their work locally with the opening of the (Re)Locating Home exhibition at Fresh Gallery Otara.

The exhibition was well received in Fiji where it showed in conjunction with the Pacific Epistemologies Conference, "Vaka Vuku: 'Navigating Knowledge' held at the University of the South Pacific.

Image: Photographic work by Vinesh Kumaran(Re)Locating Home provides an insight into the lives and movement of the many Pacific people who have made their homes in different countries, including New Zealand and, more specifically, Manukau City.

Manukau City Council's Pacific Arts Coordinator and curator of the exhibit Ema Tavola was delighted with the reviews and the way the audience engaged with the work. Assisting Ema in Suva and presenting her multi-media video installation 'Talking Tivaevae' was artist Leilani Kake.

"This was an incredible networking opportunity and great learning experience for both of us", says Ms Tavola.

"It was great to experience first hand the audience response and interpretations of Manukau's emerging Pacific art, especially comments on the historical importance of the work. We're really excited about sharing it with the local community".

Comprising contemporary artwork by 6 Pacific artists, the exhibition explores the links and relationships of Pacific peoples here in Manukau, and throughout the Oceania region. The exhibiting artists are: 'Ahota'ei'loa Toetu'u, Dean Purcell, Vinesh Kumaran, Leilani Kake, Junior Ikitule and Elisabeth Alani. The artists are ethnically Cook Island, Indo-Fijian, Niuean, Samoan and Tongan and they have all lived in Manukau for most of their lives.

The exhibition is made up of photographic prints, video work, textiles (Cook Islands quilting), paintings on canvas, prints on t-shirts and interactive projects using paper.

About the artists and their works:

Leilani Kake's work, Talking Tivaevae documents the making of her first tivaevae (Cook Islands quilting) in a five screen multi media installation that engages with the genres of textiles, performance and video / filmic story telling. Of Maori and Cook Island descent, Leilani was born and bred in Otara.

Vinesh Kumaran presents Kalapani, a photographic series that documents his travels from Manukau City, to Fiji, where he was born and raised, and to India for the first time in 2004. It is a stunning body of work that speaks sharply and articulately of migration and diaspora, place and dislocation.

Elisabeth Alani's work, PRAY / PLAY is a playful interactive paper installation, inviting viewers to play and take away, interacting physically and mentally with the artist's commentary and observations of the sometimes contradictory practice of faith.

'Ahota'ei'loa Toetu'u paintings on canvas explore the theories and stories behind the Tongan visual language of Ngatu, Tongan bark cloth. Through repetition and illusion, and a bright palette that represents the influence of colours often used to market Pacific culture, what is created is a dazzling effect on the eyes.

Junior Ikitule's short film Sadness reflects the artist's observations and enquiry into the culture of street prostitution particularly within Pacific communities in central Auckland. The film is less documentary and more composed of emotive and painterly colour scapes.

Curator:
Ema Tavola is of Fijian (Kadavu) and New Zealand Pakeha ancestry. She is a practicing artist and curator and is based at Council's newest community art facility, Fresh Gallery Otara.

What: (Re)Locating Home
Where: Fresh Gallery Otara, Otara Town Centre, Manukau City
When: Exhibition opens Saturday 29 July, to 19 August

For more information, contact Ema Tavola, Pacific Arts Coordinator, Manukau City Council E-mail etavola@manukau.govt.nz Ph 09 274 6400.