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The Real Fiji opens in Mangere!!

Ema Tavola

13 October 2006

Text by Ema Tavola, Photography by Naca Nabunobuno

The Real Fiji opens in Mangere!!

Curating exhibitions is not an easy task, especially when artwork is being submitted from other countries and cities. This exhibition was an almighty project that I have been planning since March this year. “The Real Fiji” features eleven individual artists and twelve young women from the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement Young Women in Leadership project.

It is an honour to have John Lake’s photographic installation in “The Real Fiji”. His imagery and positioning as an indigenous / kailoma documentary photographer conveys the concept of this exhibition so strongly. It’s positioning in the Gallery works to draw people in, something I witnessed with every viewer entering the space. Samoans, Tongans, Niueans… the images and clever installation evokes feelings of memory and shared histories with so many people, I witnessed an elderly Polynesian man totally transfixed on this work yesterday, commenting to himself, giggling to himself, it was a lovely observation.

Rowena Rooney’s exquisite Oamaru stone sculptures, positioned at the Gallery’s window also work to draw people in. Rowena’s pieces are beautifully crafted and convey a strong respect for her Fijian ancestry.

Assorted titles and prices, Oamaru stone and mixed media, by Rowena Rooney

Alvin Chandra’s colourful paintings catch your eye straight away; he managed to sweep people into a state of nostalgia. Through the warmth of his palette, Alvin reminds us of the beauty of a Suva sunset, the aroma of a fresh frangipani, and the balmy heat our tropical islands.

Suva, My Home (2006) acrylic on canvas, by Alvin Chandra $300

Loto Point, Waya Island, Yasawa Group (2006) 3 x 40x30cm acrylic on canvas, by Alvin Chandra NZ$216
Frangipani Red (2006) 2 x 45x45cm, acrylic on canvas, by Alvin Chandra NZ$240

I met Ida Donley by chance on Karangahape Road in Auckland City (she is gorgeous and so it didn’t surprise me that she hails from Kadavu!!) She is another creative Fiji Islander living in Auckland. These paintings are studies of kesakesa patterns that have been magnified, deconstructed and reconstructed using oil paints on various fabrics from denim to stretch velvet. They add another dimension to this exhibition, a sophistication that has Fijian design and meaning, deeply embedded within its concept.

Untitled (2005) 170x170cm, oil paint on synthetic fabric, by Ida Donley NZ$720

Untitled (2005) 61x61cm, oil paint on canvas, by Ida Donley NZ$360
Untitled (2005) 67x114cm, oil paint on denim, by Ida Donley NZ$480

It is always a pleasure to work with the highly organised and skilled Korotogo painter, Craig Marlow. These works are just exquisite, the finish and overall appeal is of such a high quality. I adore the use and translation of readily available materials, the lovo sacks and the masi. It is easy to see these paintings and immediately presume they are printed: I love seeing people observe this work, look a bit closer and then realise that they are actually hand painted, every single line. Just stunning!

Rhythm of the Islands (2006) 2 x 40x60cm, 70x60cm, acrylic on masi, by Craig Marlow NZ$1800

Vinesh Kumaran, from Ba, living in Mangere, south Auckland is a trained photographer and very busy photography assistant. His large format prints in this exhibition were taken at the New Zealand Fiji Soccer Association games in Mt Wellington Auckland, earlier this year. Working closely to the themes of this exhibition, Vinesh has captured the strength of sport in its ability to bring people and cultures together. Much like grog!

Untitled (2006), large format photographs, by Vinesh Kumaran POA

Here Torika Bolatagici’s photographic stills in DVD format are presented in front of a large piece of masi from Joana Monolagi.

Lingikoni Vaka’uta lives in Suva: he is Tongan descent and is a resident artist at the Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture at the University of the South Pacific. These intricate ink drawings on paper were first exhibited in 2004 at Oedipus Rex Gallery and owner Jennifer Buckley kindly lent us these works for “The Real Fiji”. Read more about Lingikoni Vaka’uta here.

What’s in a Face (2003/4) 74x57cm, ink on paper, by Lingikoni Vaka’uta NZ$1800
The Building Blocks (2003/4) 69x43cm, ink on paper, by Lingikoni Vaka’uta NZ$1800
Ulumotu’a (The Patriarch) (2003/4) 74x57cm, ink on paper, by Lingikoni Vaka’uta NZ$1800

Salote Tawale’s video work, Rollergirl is a fascinating addition to this exhibition.
It is a confronting piece, rich in symbolism and metaphor. I find performance artists so brave, and the fact that this powerful and important work is by a Fiji artist is so exciting! Understanding new media work such as performance and video is complex, I am new to it myself; I’d encourage viewers to read between the lines, to look beyond the imagery and think about the placement and actions, suggestion and context.

Uneven earth [Pylon City] (un)settled dis empowerment (2006), 87x120cm, acrylic on canvas, by Ema Tavola NZ$720

To talk the talk, I gots to walk the walk… this is one of my paintings, called Uneven earth [Pylon City] (un)settled dis empowerment (2006). It is acrylic on canvas and for sale!

VINAKA VAKALEVU

“The Real Fiji” would not have been possible without the patience and goodwill of all the artists involved. Thank you to everyone who absorbed costs to make this exhibition possible.

Thank you Jennifer Buckley of Oedipus Rex Gallery, Brenda Railey for looking after Craig Marlow’s artwork, to Anna Padareth at Fiji Women’s Rights Movement and to Mereia Carling for hand delivering artwork from Fiji.

Thank you to the Auckland Fiji Community for taking a chance and letting me do this exhibition my way, especially Losalini Dulakiverata and Naca Nabunobuno and Joana Monolagi.

Faafetai tele lava to Siapo Faletanoai at Mangere Arts Centre for being the warm smiling face viewers are greeted with when entering “The Real Fiji”.

And a HUGE thank you goes to my co-curator Leilani Kake, who has consistently given her time for free to assist me with this project. Leilani and I worked for over 12 hours straight installing this exhibition and it would not look as fabulous as it does without her. Meitaki maata Leilani.

Not forgetting a big vinaka vakalevu to Manukau City Council for allowing me to work on this project over the past months… thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Manukau Festival of Arts 08

Post by: Losalini in the Notices / Events forum.

Between 30 October and 17 November the Manukau Festival of Arts will showcase more than 30 exciting events around the city - exhibitions, youth events, music, dance, fashion, comedy and a film festival. All the details are on www.mfa.org.nz The Manukau Festival of Arts 08 is an inaugural event f...