A specila art gallery in Christchurch that focuses on Pasifika art has been attracting a lot of Pacific visitors since its opening in July. Right now, they have an exhibition called ‘To Make’ featuring the sculptures of Amosa Tualamali’i, a talented artist from Samoa. This is the first time his work is being shown to the public, and it’s really impressive.
Amosa’s journey as an artist started over thirty years ago when he moved from Samoa to Aotearoa at 17. He didn’t have much training in drawing and carving, just some basic knowledge from his older brother. But he worked hard and got better over time, even using firewood to create his art. He remembers his early days, saying, “I started in the garage, using whatever wood I could find. I used what I learned in Samoa and incorporated it into my carvings, whether it was a piece of wood, sticks, or anything I could find.”
The Fibre Gallery, owned by the Tagata Moana Trust, is proud to have the ‘To Make’ exhibition. It’s unique because it only features carvers from Ōtautahi (Christchurch), highlighting their important role in the local art scene. The gallery is a welcoming space for artists of all levels, from famous ones like Filipe Tohi and Stone Maka to newcomers like Amosa Tualamali’i.
During the first week of the exhibition, a group of high school students, mostly Pacific girls, visited the gallery. They were really captivated by the art that represented their heritage. Nina Oberg Humphries, the Executive Director of the Tagata Moana Trust, described it as a powerful experience, saying, “They wanted to see themselves, to connect with their heritage and culture. That’s what this exhibition and our gallery are all about.”
While the Fibre Gallery showcases art from South Island artists in other displays, Humphries recognizes that there aren’t many opportunities for South Island Pacific artists to show their work. That’s why the Fibre Gallery is so important—it gives them a platform to share their talent. Humphries believes that Pacific people thrive in the arts, even though they face challenges in other areas. She says, “If you ask any Pacific family to sing a song, dance, perform a play, or create something, they will always deliver.”
For Amosa Tualamali’i, this exhibition is a big moment. He hopes that someone will buy his artwork, but he’s also unsure about what the future holds. He says, “It’s really satisfying to finally show my work, but I don’t know what will happen next. Tomorrow is always uncertain.”
The ‘To Make’ exhibition will be open until June 15, showcasing the incredible talent and cultural heritage of artists like Tualamali’i, Jon Jeet, and Rapheal Stowers.