First major exhibition in Christchurch for Tongan artist

22 January 2007

Tongan artist Kulimoe’anga Stone Maka is set to stage his first major exhibition as part of the Vitu – Pacific Arts Festival in Christchurch.

The exhibition “Papata pe ka na'e Lalanga” (”It may be coarse in texture, but it was woven”), is one of two festival exhibitions currently on show at Our City O-Tautahi at the corner of Oxford Terrace and Worcester Boulevard, starting today.

Maka says this exhition reflects his memories from home in Tonga. “I moved to Christchurch last year and find it to be a very European and English city and, strangely, I feel like I am in a foreign country. I didn’t feel like this when I lived in Auckland but here you realise you are Polynesian.”

He says his work combines traditional Pacific art and modern Western art forms, culminating in a “form of abstraction”. 
 
Born and raised in Tonga, Maka moved to New Zealand in 1997. He studied at Whitecliffe College of Art & Design and then the University of Auckland Manukau School of Visual Arts, 2002-2004.

Vitu - Pacific Arts is the only festival in the South Island that gives Christchurch citizens and visitors a taste of the Pacific through traditional and contemporary art forms.

It has a commitment to fostering local artistic talent by supporting established and emerging artists and performers. The festival reflects the pride, commitment, and energy of the Pacific community and contributes to building a sense of place. 

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