Latai Taumoepeau’s ‘Repatriate’ is a powerful live-performance piece that demonstrates the dire impacts of climate change on Pacific nations.

Internationally renowned Tongan artist Latai Taumoepeau recently gave a single performance of ‘Repatriate’ at the Gallery. As onlookers gathered to watch, Latai sat cross-legged in a huge glass tank, arms moving gracefully in the air. Wearing a life jacket and bright-yellow floaties, she used the choreography of different Pacific dances to perform an urgent poetic distress call. Over a period of 90 minutes, the tank filled with water. As Latai was slowly submerged, the audience were left to question what happens when an environment can no longer support its people.

This work formed part of our ‘Declaration: A Pacific Feminist Agenda’ exhibition, which runs until the end of the month.

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