Overview
The first major group exhibition of contemporary Pacific art
developed by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki will open on
Saturday 7 July.
Home AKL is a dynamic exhibition presenting works by
Pacific artists, most of whom live in Auckland.
Home AKL reveals the increasingly significant role
Pacific art plays in New Zealand's identity and cultural landscape,
and includes work by more than 20 artists whose heritage derives
from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and
Tuvalu.
'New Zealand's contemporary Pacific art reflects many
distinctive voices, stories and perspectives - it's urban,
biographical and affected by its grass-roots community,' says the
Gallery's Senior Curator, New Zealand and Pacific Art, Ron
Brownson.
Artwork by three generations of Pacific artists show how these
practitioners use personal experience to examine concepts of 'home'
and belonging.
'It is impossible to consider New Zealand art today without
taking account of the influence of the Pacific,' says Home
AKL Associate Curator Ema Tavola of Fresh Gallery Otara. Also
working with the Gallery on this exhibition are Associate Curators
Nina Tonga and Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai.
A range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography,
video and adornment has been selected. Alongside artwork from the
Gallery's collection and
loans, Home AKL will feature 13 new commissions, including five
from Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu and present work
by Joana Monolagi, Louisa Humphry, Kaetaeta Watson, Foufili
Halagigie, Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine, Kolokesa Kulīkefu, Hūlita
Tupou and Lakiloko Keakea.
Home AKL's opening day will be celebrated with free
entry to the exhibition, music and performances. A family-friendly
Big Day
Art will also be held with art workshops inspired by the
exhibition. Over the course of Home AKL, the exhibition's
supporting visitor programme will include free artist talks, film
screenings and a seminar.
The exhibition is generously supported by Creative New Zealand
and art patrons Rose Dunn and the Friedlander Foundation.
7 July - 22 October 2012
Level 1 exhibition spaces
Single adult admission: $5
Children aged 14 and under: FREE*
Concessions (students, senior citizens, community card
holders, Friends of the Gallery): $3
Season pass: $20
*Separate charges may apply for education
groups.
Join the conversation
on the Home AKL Facebook page
Exhibition Patrons: Albert Refiti, Senior
Lecturer and Head of Spatial Design Department, AUT University and
Caroline Vercoe, Senior Lecturer Art History Department, University
of Auckland.
Artists: Edith Amituanai, Graham Fletcher, Tanu
Gago, Foufili Halagigie, Niki Hastings-McFall, Louisa Humphry,
Lonnie Hutchinson, Ioane Ioane, Leilani Kake, Lakiloko Keakea,
Shigeyuki Kihara, Kolokesa Kulīkefu, Jeremy Leatinu'u, Andy
Leleisi'uao, Janet Lilo, Joana Monolagi, Ani O'Neill, Sēmisi
Fetokai Potauaine, John Pule, Greg Semu, Siliga David Setoga, Paul
Tangata, Angela Tiatia, Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, Teuane Tibbo,
Hūlita Tupou, Jim Vivieaere, Kaetaeta Watson.
Exhibition curators: Senior Curator - Ron
Brownson, Associate Curators - Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai, Nina Tonga and
Ema Tavola.
PUBLICATION
A companion publication to the exhibition is available in the Gallery shop.
Title: Home AKL: Artists of Pacific
Heritage in Auckland
Authors: Ron Brownson, Kolokesa Mahina-Tuai,
Albert L Refiti, Ema Tavola, Nina Tonga
Publisher: Auckland Art Gallery
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 978-0-86463-290-6
RRP: $40.00
