Threading together the tapestry of the Pacific
Pacific women from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Cook Islands will share their crafts, knowledge and experience for three
weeks at Artstation's community event Genetic Pasifika.
Evening events of Pacific poetry, music and film nights will run from 21 February and displays and workshops start on 28
February.
Genetic Pasifika aims to celebrate and remix the genetic, cultural and artistic threads between Pacific people and is
one of a number of pacific flavoured activities taking place in support of the Pasifika Festival.
The event brings together a diverse range of crafts and workshops with a strong local Pacific Island contingent, and
follows on from the success of the inaugural Genetic Pasifika held last year.
This year’s highlights include Pollywood short films with Craig Fasi, Pacific Poets and Poetry with Rev Mua
Strickson-Pua, screenings of Lala Rolls’ documentary ‘Children of the Migration’, a Speaker Series including Filipe Tohi
and a variety of traditional and contemporary Pacific Crafts and Adornment Workshops.
The best of traditional Pacific Island crafts like tapa, tivaevae and weaving will also be on display alongside some
vibrant contemporary pacific art exhibitions and workshops. Visitors will be able to purchase traditional crafts
directly from the craftswomen on a cash and carry basis.
Other things of interest include a colourful plastic basket workshop lead by The West Auckland mamas, as well as
exhibitions around the Artstation building by local artists and crafts people including Sylvia Marsters. Community
participation and the sharing of culture is key to the Genetic Pasifika experience. Local Pacific Island groups, crafts
people and schools will be among the many community groups invited to take part in Genetic Pasifika.
The Auckland public is also invited to come along and be part of the experience. Curator Brenda Railey encourages the
community to visit Artstation and take the opportunity to learn new skills and celebrate pacific culture.
“Genetic Pasifika helps bring Pacific and Auckland communities together to exchange craft skills, knowledge and
understanding. The main focus is on creating opportunities for the participation and sharing of culture,” says Ms
Railey.
Genetic Pasifika Information:
Curator: Brenda Railey
Evening Events: 21 – 26 February 2005
Contemporary Art Displays: 21 Feb – 10 March 2005
Traditional Displays and Workshops: 28 February 10 March 2005
Speaker Series: 7 – 10 March 2005
Opening: 5-7pm, Tuesday 1 March 2005
Artstation, Auckland City’s community visual arts facility, is located at the old police barracks at 1 Ponsonby Rd,
Newton. It is easy to get to by public transport with the Link’s ‘Artstation’ bus stop right outside.
For more information, please contact Artstation on:
Web address: http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/artstation/
Artstation Gallery Hours: Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm Sat 10am – 4pm