10th Festival of Pacific Arts | Artists

Bill Urale/ King Kapisi (Samoan)

New Zealand Samoan King Kapisi (known to his family as Bill Urale) is one of the country's best-known hip hop artists. His music explores topics of particular relevance to Polynesians in New Zealand. Bill Urale was the first Polynesian hip-hop artist to receive the prestigious APRA Silver Scroll Award for Songwriter of the Year for his single 'Reverse Resistance' in 1999 and was nominated for 13 awards at the 2001 New Zealand B.Net Awards where he took home seven of the prizes including Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Music Video.

Carla Ruka (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whatua)

Since graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Māori Art from Toimairangi, Carla Ruka has set about establishing herself as a practising artist. An active member of Kaihanga Uku (Māori Clay Artists Collective) and Auckland Studio Potters, Carla's strong passion for Māoritanga is demonstrated through her work with uku (clay) and kapa haka (Māori performing arts). She has exhibited her work throughout New Zealand and overseas since 2000.

Carla says of her work, "As a contemporary Māori clay artist my inspiration and ideas descend from my ancestors. The artworks and images I have developed over the years are based on my marae (Mahuri), kapa haka, Māori spirituality, indigenous cultures, my whanau and the Taitokerau/ Hokianga area".

Cerisse Fiahau Palalagi (Te Arawa, Ngaiterangi/ Niue-Tuapa)

Cerisse Fiahau Palalagi graduated wth a Bachelor of Fine Art from Elam School of Fine Art, Auckland University in 2000, where she majored in printmaking. For Pago Pago Cerise will draw on her Māori and Nuiean heritage to create a Niuean necklace or lei titled Kahoa.

Kahoa will incorporate a mixture of materials which are used in Aotearoa by many Niuean craft women. Ribbons used in hair cutting ceremonies, plastic used for commercial packaging, are often adapted into the design elements. This sculptural form will be displayed next to a print installation which highlights symbols found on Niuean hiapo and designs found in Māori kowhaiwhai.

Colleen Urlich (Ngāpuhi)

Colleen is one of five senior members of Kaihanga Uku, the Māori Clay workers of New Zealand. Colleen's work as a clay artist is based on customary knowledge and esoteric concepts, often acknowledging Pacific forebears and Māori female deities. Colleen has researched to erase the misconception that Māori did not historically use clay. Her dissertation towards her Master of Fine Arts (Hon) degree from Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University in 2002 focused on the the ancient Lapita ceramic legacy. It is from that customary background that Māori clay workers validate their contemporary use of clay. Māori are genetically linked to Pacific Lapita potters and their 4,000-year old tradition of Pacific ceramics.

Colleen's work has been exhibited extensively in New Zealand and overseas including the Māori Art Meets America exhibition in 2006 in San Francisco.

Cynthia Kapene (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikao)

Cynthia Kapene is a graduate of the Master of Māori Visual Arts degree programme at Massey University. She is currently a lecturer at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi in Whakatane teaching Painting, Curatorial Studies and Customary Māori Art.

Cynthia says, "The project I plan to take to undertake during the festival is to look at and gather information on indigenous culture (specific to Pago Pago and other cultures represented at the festival) and the effects of post-colonisation on society and environment, and produce a series of works using photography, drawing and painting....By informing myself about the current practices of indigenous art, I am better prepared to educate and inform others about art culture."

Daniel Haimona (Ngāti Kahungunu)

Formed in the early 90s when New Zealand was devoid of hip-hop, Dam Native spawned a new era of urban music and picked up a couple of New Zealand Music Awards (Tui Awards) along the way including Daniel Haimona being named Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1996. Debut album Kaupapa Driven Rhymes Uplifted won them widespread acclaim and the band went on to support major acts including Public Enemy, Ice T, Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Fugees.

Daniel Haimona will perform as a solo artist in Pago Pago bringing his unique form of modern poetry and performance to the festival.

Dianna Fuemana (American Samoan/ Niue)

Dianna Fuemana describes having her one woman show Falemalama performed at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in Pago Pago as "the absolute highlight of my career as a writer and director". Her solo shows, Mapaki and The Packer have both earned critical acclaim in New Zealand and overseas and firmly placed her as a key figure in the development of Pacific theatre in New Zealand.

Falemalama is a semi-autobiographical show that was inspired by the unexpected death of Dianna's mother in 2006. A commission from Pangea Theatre Company in Minneapolis allowed Dianna the time to spend time with her brothers in Seattle and to recapture all the stories her mother had told her about her life. "I've always known I would write something about her extraordinary life....She was born and raised in Pago Pago. I have never been there.... To have this piece produced in her home town...no words can describe what this means to me, my family, my art and where it has led me to..."

Filipe Tohi (Tonga)

Tohi Filipe was born in Ngeleia nuku'alofa, Tonga in 1959 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1978. He tutored carving at both the Rangimarie Māori Arts and Crafts Centre in Rotorua and Taranaki Polytechnic before embarking on a career as a full time artist and sculptor in 1992. He has exhibited nationally and internationally, including most recently, a solo exhibition in California Fonoga ki Fonua Lahi and in the group exhibition Dateline: Contemporary Pacific Art, Berlin, Germany both in 2007.

Graham Fletcher (Samoan)

Born in 1969, Graham Fletcher is a New Zealander of mixed Samoan and European heritage. Currently studying for a Doctorate of Fine Arts at the Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University, Graham has received acclaim and recognition for his painting and more recently his sculptural work. At the forefront of his work are the dynamics between mixed cultures within Aotearoa and our Pacific neighbours.

His installation The Eternals (Auckland, 2007) a series of non-traditional sculptural forms, is the catalyst for the artist's proposed work in Pago Pago. Graham says of the work, "Through the interblending of Samoan folklore and Western mythologies I hope to develop new hybrids and contexts that solicit multiple intertextual readings as a means to create new mythologies."

Heeni Kerekere (Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Te Aitanga-a-Mahaki, Kai Tahu, Te Arawa)

Coming from a traditional weaving background, Heeni creates contemporary artworks using natural materials in innovative and complex ways. Her sensibilities as a sculptor can be seen in both her weaving and in her pottery. She exhibits nationally and internationally and her work is held in public and private collections.

In the early 1980s, under the tutelage of master weaver Erenora Puketapu-Hetet, Heeni learned traditional skills such as weaving whariki (floor mats), tukutuku (panels), piupiu (skirts), tāniko (embroidered belts) and korowai (cloaks). She also learned different techniques such as flax-dyeing, harvesting and conservation.

Through weaving, she aspires to share her skills and help preserve what was at risk of becoming a lost art form. She has led many projects in bringing back skills and knowledge of weaving to Māori communities so that they can continue weaving traditions at their home marae. She has tutored extensively in her home, in educational institutions and on marae.

"Skills such as weaving whariki (woven mats) used to be passed down within families but in many cases that stopped happening and, as the kuia (elder women) died, the skills died with them," Heeni says. "Wananga (workshops) provide good opportunities to pick up skills that can no longer be learned from within families."

Horomona Horo (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou, Taranaki)

Horomona Horo was mentored by tohunga (experts) of taonga puoro (traditional Maori musical instruments) Dr Hirini Melbourne and Richard Nunns. He has performed extensively in New Zealand and overseas. This year he joined Whirimako Black, Richard Nunns, Riki Gooch and Glen Colquhoun in Green Fire Islands, a collaborative ensemble with Irish musicians honouring ancient Celtic and Māori music in a contemporary setting.

Horomona is keen to collaborate with other Pacific musicians in Pago Pago. "I see this festival as a perfect opportunity to meet and dialogue with our Pacific relatives. I wish to share my knowledge about the history, the instruments and the playing of Toanga Puoro Maori as well as hopefully gain knowledge about other traditional instruments from the islands. I envision that our coming together will mean we can collaborate musically to create new and exciting works as well as strong links for future events after the festival."

Iosefa Enari (Samoan)

Choreographer/ Director Iosefa Enari holds a Diploma of Contemporary Dance from UNITEC and a Masters Degree in Creative and Performing Arts from the University of Auckland where he is currently Convener for Pacific Music and Dance courses at the Centre for Pacific Studies.

Iosefa was one of the first Samoans to enter formal dance training in New Zealand and has performed, choreographed and directed with several companies here in New Zealand. He has performed in Australia, USA, Europe and the Pacific. He directed a short film work entitled Gravity which had its world premiere at the Auckland Dance Festival before travelling to New York in 2005, where it is still presented at indigenous films and dance festivals. Iosefa will present screenings of Gravity, a short film that "interweaves gritty urban life and the dreamscape of traditional Polynesian ceremony and spiritual awakening" at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts. He will also present a paper on Pacific dance in Aotearoa.

James Rickard (Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Hine)

"Carving is grounded in preserving whakapapa - through whakapapa you can go back to the very beginning, to land and to ancestors", says carver James Rickard who believes "carving can be a spiritual journey for those who want it to be". James trained under master carver Hone Taiapa, "Being a carver made me understand the history of my people and a whole host of things I wouldn't have known or thought of. It made me turn on to my own culture....A carver's role in Māoridom is to be a historian - to capture a moment in history and put it on timber. It's not just about the end product, its about the culture and keeping that alive."

For the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts James is planning to carve a sculpture in the form of a waka hull with a carved head. Standing upright surrounded by kohatu from Samoa, the work will evoke the traditional compass used by countries in the Pacific.

James Webster (Ngāti Mahuta)

James Webster is a multi-disciplined artist working in the fields of carving, painting, mixed media and tā moko. He studied under the tutelage of Dr Paakaariki Harrison and Professor Kereti Rautangata at Te Waananga o Aotearoa graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree Te Maunga Kura Toi (with excellence) in Whakairo Rakau (Māori wood carving). James runs his own Tā Moko Studio and Art Gallery, Tahaa, in Whitianga-a-Kupe.

At the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts, James will be demonstrating the making and playing of taonga puoro (Māori instruments), in particular the pukaea (wooden trumpet). James says, "I have a passion for art and music, the human spirit and the spirit of life. I believe that through sharing our gifts on a human level it may bring us closer to understanding the spirit of life."

Janet Lilo (Ngāti Haua, Te Rarawa/ Samoa, Niue)

Multi media artist Janet Lilo graduated from Auckland University of Technology in 2007 with a Master of Art and Design. Her work has been exhibited both in New Zealand and overseas including Telecom Prospect 2007: New New Zealand Art at City Gallery, Wellington.

Her project for the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts will be a multi media installation work titled ‘Sano Loves Elvisi'. The project will focus on popular culture in New Zealand and American Samoa. Janet says of the work, "My interest in this idea is to formulate modes of American influences to both cultures of Pacific people in New Zealand and also the peoples in the Pacific Islands. Further, I would like to juxtapose these contemporary issues through popular music, popular imagery, natural surroundings of the environment and also use of internet, Bebo as an example. Overall this project is to further develop my research in this area and to experience and meet new Pacific people and other artists."

Jessica Paraone (Ngāpuhi/ Fiji)

Jess Paraone has been a professional weaver of traditional kete and contemporary art works for twelve years. Her work is sold in galleries around New Zealand. Of special interest to Jessica, who has both Māori and Fijian ancestry, will be connecting with the Fijian community at the festival in Pago Pago. She will be looking to incorporate Fijian weaving techniques/ patterns into her own work.

The artist says of weaving, "Raranga has become a constant companion to me. It is not what I do but rather who I am. Raranga, I think, captures the true meaning of the word ‘mahi'. That is; work that fully engages a person's thoughts, feelings and spirit and these are then translated through the hands. When you become intimate with raranga in this way, it is a model that is applied in other areas of your life. You tend to see life through a lens of how it can be woven together to create form and pattern and sense to you personally."

Jo Tito (Taranaki, Tūhourangi-Ngāti Wahio, Ngāti Pikiao)

Jo Tito is a self employed artist, photographer and health promoter. Her work, philosophies and creations are inspired by the importance of the land and well being of her people. Jo's interest in indigenous issues has seen her work closely with Native Americans and she is keen to make other connections in the Pacific while in Pago Pago.

"An exhibition that I curated in 2002 was called ‘Miroia te muka kia whiria mai ai' meaning ‘twirl the muka threads so that they may be woven together'. Through honouring each of our indigenous peoples and giving them voice through the sharing of stories and imagery we will be reconnecting those threads of our tupuna of past. In Pago Pago in 2008, we will weave new threads to connect with new generations of our indigenous brothers and sisters. We will venture forth into the future to bring about positive change for all our indigenous peoples."

Joe Harawira (Ngaiterangi, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Maniapoto)

Joe Harawira was born and bred in Whakatane, in the North Island of New Zealand. He is a storyteller, and an expert in tikanga (protocols) and is a passionate teacher and performer of kapa haka (perfoming arts).

He has toured many times internationally, taking his skill in Maori storytelling and oratory with him to indigenous and storytelling festivals. In April this year he is touring Northland with the On the Bus literary tour along with other Māori writers Apirana Taylor, Hinemoana Baker and Kelly Ana Morey.

Storytelling runs in Joe's extended family. "We come from a very oral tradition. As a small boy I'd go to the marae where the kaumatua (elders), who were all storytellers, would do their whaikorero (speech-making)."

Previously working as a school teacher, Joe now works as Kaupapa Atawhai Manager in the Waikato Conservancy of the Department of Conservation.

Johnny Peninsula (Samoan)

Born and raised in Samoa, Johnny Peninsula came to New Zealand in 1962 at the age of twenty- one. His early years as in artist concentrated on painting and small size bone, stone and wood carvings before exploring the possibilities of sculpture. In 1984 he started using materials such as steel, fibreglass, bone, argillite, greenstone and limestone to create sculptures for which he is internationally renowned. In 2005 Johnny was the recipient of the Creative New Zealand Cook Islands Artist's Residency.

Of his work Johnny Peninsula says, "I am a full time artist dedicated to combining Samoan and European cultures in three-dimensional artworks either traditional or a contemporary style. In particular I wish to inspire our youngsters to learn about their artistic heritage."

Julie Kipa (Ngaiterangi)

Julie is currently undertaking research for her PhD at Massey University where she graduated in 2001 with a Master of Māori Visual Arts . Julie's art practice extends to painting, printmaking, digital design and tā moko.She prefers however, not to be defined by artistic medium and engages actively in curatorial discourse, asserting the "use of whatever tools allow me to express political issues of modern Māori identity".

Julie has strongly advocated and initiated Māori driven arts development, motivated by the conviction that Māori art is the key to Māori cultural, economic, social and development at both individual and community levels.

She says, "Māori need to see their traditions represented and valued; visible everywhere in the modern world ...we can show everyone how amazing and eternally relevant Māori art and culture really are."