Meet the artists! Toloa Tales

Visiting Papaioea all the way from South Auckland, artists Edith Amituanai (Aotearoa, Samoa) and Sione Tuívailala Monū (Aotearoa, Australia, Tonga) will be at the Te Manawa Art Gallery to celebrate the opening of Toloa Tales.

Edith and Sione will share stories about their travels to Samoa to celebrate a friend’s participation in the Miss Samoa Fa’afafine Pageant, where they each made a short film for this exhibition.

Together, their works reflect on how people from across Te Moana Nui a Kiwa, the Pacific, maintain their identity and culture when they move away.

To celebrate the opening of this vibrant and loving tribute to Te Moana Nui a Kiwa (the Pacific), join us for a special performance by local Tongan group TMK, who play acoustic guitar and ukulele to the lyrics of Queen Sālote Tupou III of Tonga, while Helena Kaufononga accompanies them with customary Tau’olunga dancing.

This will be followed by a Q&A with artists Edith Amituanai and Sione Tuívailala Monū and curator Sian van Dyk.

Join us afterwards for a special opportunity to chat with them over light refreshments.

This event is free to attend. Donations are greatly appreciated.

Image: Sione Tuívailala Monū Lanu Moana is the Warmest Colour (video still) 2024. Single-channel HD video, duration 27 mins 31 secs. Courtesy of the artist