Lalaga: Le Hui Fono is an exhibition and programmes that emerge from an ongoing commitment to deepen relationships of collaboration, mutual support, and reciprocity between Pasifika artists and communities in Taranaki and across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
The project draws from the practices and wisdom of Lalaga/Raranga/Lalanga in seeking to weave together new and existing connections through creative practice and generate outcomes that uplift the aspirations of local communities.
Lalaga: Le Hui Fono features new works, including some created in the gallery during the exhibition produced in response to a series of residencies and exchanges among artists from Ngāmotu, Sāmoa, Fiji, and Tonga that commenced in 2022. The inclusion of significant historical works also encourages a rekindling of connections and fosters new exchanges of knowledge and storytelling. The making, workshops, performance and talanoa throughout Lalaga: Le Hui Fono will transform the gallery into a space for sharing knowledge, questions, conversations, and creative possibilities that are shaped by Pasifika communities and creatives and contribute to collective culture and wellbeing.
Lalaga has been guided by Theresa Tongi, the Gallery’s Pacific Public Program Coordinator, Ruha Fifita, Govett-Brewster Pacific Curator at Large and the Gallery’s Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa Advisory Group.
Collaborative works have been made possible through relationships to creatives and communities in:
Lalomauga, Lelepa, Leulumoega, Malie, Manase, Moata‘a and Vaiee Villages, Samoa.
Moce Island and Nasinu village, Fiji.
Vaimalo, Haveluloto, and Holonga Villages, Tonga.
Tāmaki Makaurau, Parihaka and Waitara, Aotearoa.
Personal responses have been contributed by the following artists and collectives:
Kim Kahu
Itāmua Muaiāoomālō Mataiva D Robertson
Kesaia Biuvanua
Amy Sao Tui
Suzan Kostanich
Tevita Latu
Taniela Petelo
Yasmin Aho
Sean Hill
Haoro Hond
With members from Seleka International Arts Society Initiative
Hikule‘o ‘o Ono’aho (Tu‘ifonualava Kaivelata, ‘Uluaki Kaivelata)
Mahi Moana (Tau‘ili‘ili Alpha Maiava)
