About
Friday 14 February | 10:00 – 11:00
Come along to our much-loved Seniors program!
February's session will be led by Pacific Public Programmes Coordinator, Theresa Tongi. Theresa will walk us through Lalaga Le Hui Fono, 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.
Supporting rich dialogue around contemporary art and culture rooted in our artistic program the lively discussions ask pertinent questions, share thought-provoking ideas and encourage community participation. No knowledge of art is needed!
Seniors takes place from 10 - 11am on the second Friday of each month, with many regulars gathering next door at Monica’s Eatery for a coffee at 9.30am.
Lalaga: Le Hui Fono
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.
Image credit: Lalaga Le Hui Fono Opening Day, Installation view, Gallery 3, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. Image: Quishile Charan.