Creative New Zealand delegation to attend 10th Festival of Pacific Arts

Creative New Zealand has selected a combination of accomplished and emerging artists from within the Maori and New Zealand based Pacific communities to attend the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in Pago Pago, American Samoa in July 2008.

The delegation of 120 artists (including Whangara-mai-Tawhiti, the 2007 winners of Te Matatini the national kapa haka competition) will represent customary and contemporary arts from Aotearoa alongside the other 26 participating Pacific nations.

The festival is recognised as the premier event for enhancing regional relations and preservation of the Pacific’s cultural heritage. Artists were invited to submit expressions of interest to participate in the delegation.

Chair of Te Waka Toi, the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand, Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku says the delegation is a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their work, network with Pacific artists from different countries and represesent Aotearoa.

“For the Maori artists attending the Festival of Pacific Arts, this is an opportunity to represent the uniqueness of the indigenous culture of Aotearoa. It is a wonderful forum to engage with other peoples of the Pacific and represent our country with pride”.

Pele Walker, Chair of the Pacific Arts Committee of Creative New Zealand concurred, “The chance to participate in the Aotearoa delegation attending the festival comes around only once every four years, so it is a very special opportunity for artists. For the Pacific artists, both those who have immigrated to New Zealand and those born here, the festival presents a chance to reconnect with their Pacific origins while representing new perspectives that are informed by living in New Zealand.”

The artists attending the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in Pago Pago, American Samoa 20 July-2 August 2008 are:

VISUAL ARTS
1. Cynthia Kapene (Te Arawa) Ohope, Bay of Plenty
2. Natalie Couch (Ngati Tuwharetoa) Auckland
3. Cerisse Fiahau Palalagi
( Niue, Tuapa Te Arawa, Ngaiterangi) Auckland
4. Fillipe Tohi (Tonga) Auckland
5. Graham Fletcher (Samoa) Auckland
6. Loretta Moauli Young (Samoa) Auckland
7. Stone Maka (Tonga) Christchurch

CARVING
8. Netane Wiki Singh-Lagah
(Tuhoe, Ngati Awa, Ngati Uenuku Kopako) Rotorua
9. Whiu Waata ( Ngapuhi) Kaikohe
10. Te Warahi Hetaraka (Ngapuhi) Whangarei
11. James Rickard (Ngati Koate, Ngati Hinerupe) Rotorua
12. Johnny Penisula (Samoa) Invercargill
CERAMICS
13. Manos Nathan (Ngapuhi) Dargaville
14. Colleen Urlich (Ngapuhi) Dargaville
15. Carla Ruka (Ngapuhi, Ngati Whatua) Auckland

TAONGA PUORO
16. James Webster (Ngati Mahuta) Whitianga
17. Horomona Horo (Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou, Taranaki) Rotorua
WEAVING
18. Henni Kerekere (Ngati Oneone) Huntly
19. Jessica Paraone (Ngapuhi) Rotorua
20. Troy Joshua Gardiner (Ngati Kahungunu) Hawkes Bay
21. Misa Emma Kesha (Samoa) Dunedin

THEATRE
22. Taki Rua - Paolo Rotondo (Italian New Zealander)
23. Taki Rua - Rob Mokaraka (Ngapuhi, Tuhoe)
24. Taki Rua - Maaka Pohatu (Ngai Tamanuhiri/ Ngati Apa, Ngati Porou, Ngati Tuwharetoa)
25. Dianna Fuemana (American Samoa, Niue) Auckland

MULTIMEDIA
26. Julie Kipa (Ngaiterangi, Ngai Tuwhiwhia) Ohope, Bay of Plenty
27. Janet Lilo (Samoa, Niue, Ngapuhi) Auckland
28. Tuafale Tanoai (Samoa) Auckland
29. Michel Tuffery (Samoan, Rarotonga, Tahitian)
FASHION
30. Suzanne Tamaki (Maniapoto, Hikairo, Tuhoe, Te Arawa) Otaki

STORYTELLING
31. Joanne Tito (Taranaki, Tuhourangi, Ngati Waihiao, Ngati Pikiao) Gisborne
32. Joe Harawira (Ngaiterangi, Ngati Awa, Ngati Maniapoto) Huntly
33. Robert Ruha (Ngati Porou, Te Whanau-a-Apanui) Auckland

MUSIC
34. Dam Native - Daniel Haimoana (Ngati Kahunungu) Auckland
35. Toni Huata (Ngati Kahungunu, Rongowhakaata) Wellington
36. Dr Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal
(Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Tanatera, Ngapuhi) Wellington
37. Kura Te Ua (Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Te Whakatohea, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri)
38. Pacific Underground - Pos Mavaega (Samoan) Christchurch
39. Pacific Underground - Tanya Muagututi’a (Samoan) Christchurch
40. Pacific Underground - Andrew Sione (Samoan) Christchurch
41. King Kapisi - Bill Urale (Samoa) Auckland
42. Teaukura A Upu - Chuck Upu (Cook Islands) Auckland
43. Teremoana Rapley (Cook Islands) Auckland

FILM
44. Rawiri Paratene (Te Arawa, Ngapuhi) Auckland
45. Iosefa Enari (Samoa) Auckland

MOKO
46. Turumakina Duley (Ngati Awa, Tuhoe, Ngaiterangi) Auckland
47. Mark Kopua (Ngati Ira, Te Aitanga a Hauiti, Ngati Porou) Tologa Bay
48. Derek Lardelli - Ngati(Ngati Porou - Rongowhakaata, Ngati Kanohi (Ngai Te Riwai), Ngati Kaipoho (Ngai Te Aweawe).) Whangara

KAPA HAKA - Te Whangara Mai Tawhiti - 40 artists

Congratulations to All!

STRENGTHENING SENNIT

STRENGTHENING SENNIT
Curated by Leanne Clayton for Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust
June 13 - 20, 2008
Gallery Three

Artists:
Cerisse Palalagi, Juiliana Satchell, Paula Schaafhausen, Melemafile'o Uhamaka, Linda T. Tanoa'i, Metuanooroa Tapuni, Vaimaila Urale, Suia Westbrook, Fainga'a Taufa, Sevuloni Tora, Siliga Setoga, Mose Eteuati, Ane Tonga, Sera Elle, David Kaho

Guests Performances:

June 16, 1 - 2pm Rev Mua Strickson Pua
June 18, 12 - 1pm Poet Selina Tusitala Marsh
June 14, 1 - 2pm Panel Discussion with the Artists

Click on the pdf icon to view the exhibition poster:

An exhibition by Pacific heritage art students currently attending tertiary institutions in Auckland City. Special thanks to exhibition sponsor Creative Communities NZ, Christina Jeffrey(Manager for Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts trust), Metuanooroa Tapuni (Catalogue design), Leanne Clayton (Curator)

Indigenous Artists Network

This Network was set up by Artists Natalie Ball & Natalie Robertson. Its a great place to share photos of exhibitions, recent works, travel etc...

Visit Indigenous Artists

ASB Polyfest 2008

Kahurangi ki Maungawhau A.G.G.S
(My younger sister Ngaronoa is #5 in the line)

12-15th March

This annual event is the largest Maori & Pacific Islands' cultural festival in the world.
For $3, it was the best day out in ages. My dad, sister Waiora & son Rangiteaorere attended the festival to watch My younger sister Ngaronoa perform in the Kahurangi ki Maungawhau kapa haka group from Auckland Girls Grammar School. They totally nailed their performance today, we were really proud to see her sing & perform.
It was great seeing all the other stages too, Niue, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands & the Diversity stage.

Flat White Black Pearl

Title: 'Alofax3' Medium: Ink & Acrylic on paper By Cerisse Palalagi 2008

Nina Tonga viewing Artworks in the Flat White Black exhibition

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.

Jim Vivieaere 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.

The exhibition 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.

Some Artists in the show include:
Cerisse Palalagi
Tuafale Tanoa'i /aka: Linda T
Ema Tavola
David Siliga Setoga
Metuanooroa Tapuni
Terry Klavenes
Niaval Ngaro

Lil'Mamas Art Klub at 'Come together'

This 'Tipare' styled braid was made by the Lil'Mama's Art Klub:
Maila Urale
Samantha Atasani
Ahi Rands
MeleMafile'o Uhamaka
Paula Schaafhausen

Cerisse Palalagi-New works contd.....

untitled3, ink on paper, 2008
untitled4, ink on paper, 2008

These works are part of an ongoing series of drawings towards My first year in the Masters of Art & Design program.
" These new works explore the notion of iconography in the context of contemporary Maori & Pacific Island Art in Aotearoa,through the mediums of printmaking & drawings with inks & paint."Cerisse Palalagi