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Sheyne Tuffery
L
ast month I caught up with Sheyne, briefly, while he was in town for the
opening of his show at the Lane Gallery. I hadn’t seen him for a while and
was keen to find out what he’d been up to for the past year or so since he had
left Auckland. I knew that he was now living in Wellington, had opened his
own gallery and had just spent a week tutoring at our very successful Fresh
Horizons Workshop at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua.
But - what has he been up to? He sent me an email…
Last year I was the artist in residence at the Macmillan Brown Centre for
Pacific Studies which is based at the University of Canterbury and is for a
three months stay. That twelve week period set me up to becoming more
disciplined while also giving me confidence in my own methods, goals and
techniques. I feel quite shaped by my time in Christchurch.
The work I was making at Macmillan Brown was to do with ancient birds of
New Zealand and Samoa. I was looking at extinct species from long ago and
making parallel connections with classic cars, such as the Ford Consol and the
Mark 3 Zephyr. The idea of using everyday objects, such as the classic car, was
to give endangered species a ‘modern’ identifiable image.
I see that my role as a pacific artist is to stretch the boundaries and widen
the scope of what is defined as pacific art. I believe I have to contribute in an
original way and add my own visions and interpretations otherwise I am merely
a spectator, and taking, rather than adding to the rich plethora of pacific art we
already have.
It was such a good experience being in Christchurch. It felt more centered
being in a smaller circle of pacific people, rather than in Auckland where the
scale is so much different because it’s the biggest Polynesian city in the world.
I guess because of the smaller scale it seemed a more potent network.
I experimented with my practice both as a printmaker and a mixed media
painter and I also produced a new video animation. These were all shown at
the Salamander Gallery in the Arts Centre. The exhibition was based around the
endangered tooth billed pigeon which in Samoa is called “Manumea“. This bird
is endemic to Samoa and is the little cousin to the extinct Dodo from Mauritius.
And earlier this year, we heard about this new gallery that opened in Petone;
The Promenade
what’s the story about that and where did the name come from?
Opening LeSa Gallery (at 203 Jackson Street, Petone) was something that
I’ve always dreamed of doing. Although this is just one part of the major plan
which is to have a print studio/animation suite/gallery, but one thing at a time
for now. It’s quite a major task to take on: being a gallery dealer as well as
being an art practitioner, but I’m the type of person who loves to be swamped
in work up to my eyebrows.
The name of the gallery refers to the matai title I received last Christmas from
my mum’s village. It was quite an honour to be asked to do this for my mum’s
family, while also having strong ties with our family’s land in South East Upolu.
Lesa Gallery aims to showcase the best in new graduate art plus emerging
artists from around the country and abroad. The concept of the gallery is to
exhibit artists that are just beginning their careers and are looking to establish
themselves professionally. At the same time I also want to show some more
established artists who are yet to exhibit in Wellington.
Exhibitions will change every four weeks with the openings being held on a
Saturday afternoon to make it easy for the public to park, and take their time
and have a good look around. The rest of the calendar year is booked so that’s
terrific and sales are steady thus far - so after three months .... this boat is
floating! www.lesagallery.com
And the show at the Lane?
The last show at the Lane Gallery was continuing my theme of birds, colonial
and ancient boats, and classic cars. It was called The Ancient Helmsman and
it also featured two of my last moving graphic/image animations: ‘Manukau’
and ‘Looking for Manumea’. ‘Manukau’ was shown in the exhibition called
Face Value: Pacific Video Portraiture at the Ivan Dougherty Gallery, Sydney and
at the Museum of Brisbane in 2005. It is also currently featuring in Pasifika
Styles, Cambridge University Museum, U.K. which runs until August 2008.
In the video ‘Manukau’ everything centres around the soundtrack: it is the soul
of the piece. It’s actually a conglomerate of sounds that emulate the area of the
wetlands. I’ve purposely used a low tech animation look because that suits my
style. The human element has to be evident in my work and I’ve always liked
Manukau - Still from Animation
Patron: Fatu Feu’u (Patron) Board of Trustees: Gina Cole (Chair), Loloma Andrews, Ron Brownson, Tui Hobson, Colin Jeffery, Fuli Pereira.
Tautai Office: Christina Jeffery (Trust Manager), Nooroa Tapuni, Maila Urale. PO Box 68 339, Newton, Auckland
Robin Royale
it was a utopia of birds. So peaceful was this utopia that the birds evolved
into flightless ones because they never had to get airborne to get away from
someone or something trying to turn them into dinner.
Is the work an actual portrait of someone?
Manukau is a Maori word for wading bird. It is also the name of the harbour and
wetlands of where I lived in South Auckland. This video portrait is more to do with
the environment that had shaped me and has therefore become part of my identity.
Sheyne Tuffery with Christina Jeffery.
working with limited and not so state-of-the-art tools. I think being a few steps
back from technology is a good thing otherwise you get obsessed with the tools
rather than with what you’re making.
Animals - cats, dogs and birds seem to appear and mutate – tell us about this.
The canine is me - the observer: I was born in the year of the dog.
Manu Tasi with Misplaced Icons
Birds - every spring 20,000 wader birds arrive in New Zealand from the high
Arctic, a journey of approximately 10,000 kilometres. The ability of birds to
migrate from one part of the world to another has always fascinated me. Why
do they do it and how do they do it?
Cats - this represents not so much cats but their nature of being a predator.
You see, before any humans or mammals arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand
Chair’s Report
Ni sa bula vinaka
W
elcome to the second Tautai newsletter for 2007. The Annual General
Meeting of members was held on 31 March 2007 and the business
included the election of trustees. Following the AGM the Board comprised
Gina Cole (chair), Loloma Andrews, Ron Brownson, Tui Hobson,
Colin Jeffery, Fuli Pereira, Ema Tavola, and Leafa Wilson. However
recently Ema Tavola has been appointed to the Pacific Arts Committee of
Creative New Zealand and has therefore had to resign as a board member of
Tautai. We are sad to lose Ema but we congratulate her on her new position.
Unfortunately our Hamilton-based board member, Leafa Wilson, has also
been unable to continue as a trustee due to her other commitments.
In April the Trust Manager role was re-advertised nationally and attracted
a number of applicants. The Board is pleased to announce that Christina
Jeffery has been formally employed as Trust Manager. Christina is well
known to our members through her long time involvement with the trust.
She brings particular skills and maturity to the manager position and other
relevant experience to drive the on-going development of Tautai.
with input from management and others reviewed the longer term direction
of Tautai. Facilitated by Dianna Fitisemanu the day was very productive
and provided us with an opportunity to focus the future strategy of Tautai
Trust to include fostering emerging talent and initiatives in areas such as
new curators, new profilers, new works, new writers, and also build on the
programs of professional development.
Another Fresh Horizons has recently been completed in Porirua in association
with Whitireia Polytech. We are very grateful for the contributions of
Dagmar Dyck as Tautai event manager and the five artist tutors arranged
by Tautai. Planning is now underway for the next in the series of Fresh
Horizons workshops for students. This will take place later this year in
conjunction with the city campus of Auckland University of Technology and
for the first time will draw its participants from the North Shore.
We are currently in a new round of applications with Creative New Zealand
and ASB Community Trusts for the annual funding for 2008 and should know
the outcome of that before the end of the next quarter. In the meantime
our program of activities for this year continues and broad plans have been
developed for next year.
Maila Urale has joined us to job share with Nooroa Tapuni in the Tautai
office and Shigeyuki Kihara continues in her role of media liaison.
We will keep you updated with Tautai events through our weekly emailed
‘Pacific Arts Diary’. This widely distributed email is available to publicise
any art exhibitions and events you are involved in (just send an email to the
Tautai office so we know about it.)
The new board held a Strategic Planning Meeting on Saturday 13 May and
Vinaka vaka levu – Gina Cole (Chair)
June 2007
www.tautai.org • tautai@tautai.org
Postcard from
The Dreaming
T
he Dreaming Festival is Australia’s international indigenous festival held
over Australia’s Queen’s Birthday weekend. 2007 was its third year and
my second Dreaming Festival experience and what an experience it was, so
inspiring, challenging, confirming and beautiful.
New Zealand was well represented this year by Sarah and Haniko from
Creative New Zealand, Makerita Urale and the Frangipani Perfume
crew, musicians Pacific Curls, actor writer and playwright Briar GraceSmith, Pollywood curator Craig Fasi, Pasifika’s Ole Maiava, Cultural
IP Lawyer Aroha Waetford and Interim Waitakere Pacific Arts & Cultural
Centre Director Hinurewa Te Hau.
I spoke on two panels – Traditional knowledge in the 21st century with Aroha
and Hinu – wow what a great response we received, the audience were
interested in the way Maori and Pacific people are managing to preserve,
protect and promote our culture in our own way and the partnerships
developed with mainstream agencies and organisations.
The second panel was The Politics of Events with three Australian festival
directors and Ole. It was fantastic to be with other event people where we
discovered we share many of the same highlights and hurdles….Indigenous
event forum here we come!
There were so many talented performances from the traditional dance
groups to Ruby’s Story, musicians OKA, Emma Donavan, Shellie Morris,
NoKTuRNL and my two highlights comedian Sean Choolburra (we so have
to get this man over here…so funny!) and a play still in development Koiko
(The life of Eddie Mabo) such a beautifully told story written by his daughter
Gail….simply outstanding.
The Dreaming Festival has captured by heart and everyone must experience
it at least once!
See you there in 08. Michelle Khan
Footnote: Thanks to the Creative New Zealand international visitor programme
the festival director, Rhoda Roberts, came to New Zealand in March this year
to visit Celebrate Pasifika, Pasifika Festival, AK07 and WOMAD (…thanks
Anton C for encouraging me to write the proposal that helped get Rhoda here
and to Sarah Wilson for having the vision to accept it).
www.thedreamingfestival.com
MSVA students David Filoialii, Rangituhuia Hollis, Mele Penitani, Nick Hughes, Vaomaolo Uimaitua and Sione
Fa’avae at the opening of their exhibition ‘Made in Otara’ held at CNZ Auckland offices 8 June.
*
Tui O’Sullivan with Linda Tuafale Tanoa’i and her work which was
part of the Con-Art Exhibition at St Paul Street Gallery recently.
Watch the Tautai Website and the weekly Pacific Arts Diary for News of Upcoming Events and Exhibitions
Manukau School of Visual Arts
I
n order to complete my Professional Practise Paper which is part of my final
year at Manukau School of Visual Arts I did work experience for two weeks
at the Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust. Christina Jeffery asked me to
put an article together for the newsletter and suggested that I ‘curate’ an
exhibition of works from Pacifica students at MSVA. I thought that this was
a great opportunity for the artists to show the range of disciplines used to
transform their ideas into a body of artwork.
Letufa Taniela (Year 4) Print Media. Textile Print. Dusky Maiden Print 2007.
Peleganoto Liufau (Year 2). Window Stencil Untitled 2006/7
Ofa Mafi (Year 4) Print Media Major. Untitled own
design on used, unwanted made clothing 2007.
This year there is apparently a larger percentage of Pacific Island students
enrolled here than there has been for five years. It goes to show the vast
potential and talent that is out there. Most of these students are in their final
year and are still finding their potential - it is not a matter of perfection but a
matter of skill and persistence.
It will be great to see these Pacific Island artists triumph within tertiary studies
and further their careers out in the art world.
Letufa Taniela
Danielle Meredith (Year 4) Painting Major. Paintings on mdf board. Untitled 2007.
Lange Taufelila (Year 4) Print Media. Untitled Works 2006
Sam Matangi (Year 2) Photographer/Print Media. Genevieve Peni, Graduate Photographer 2006.
Ray of Light.
Gee-Da-Deech-2
www.tautai.org • tautai@tautai.org
Krystle Tavai (Year 4) Painting Major.
Marker sketches on board. Untitled 2007
June 2007
Fresh Horizons – Whitireia
T
he 6th Tautai Fresh Horizons Workshop for secondary school
students took place at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua
21 – 25 May 2007.
Normally held over two or three days, this time it was
five days long and took place during Whitireia’s first ever
Pasifika week.
It was a great success with twenty five students from secondary schools
in the Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast taking part. The artist/tutors were
Fatu Feu’u, Jean Clarkson, Lina Marsh, Chris Van Doren and
Sheyne Tuffery with Dagmar Dyck co-ordinating the event for Tautai.
June 2007
www.tautai.org • tautai@tautai.org
Artists Alliance
Tautai Trust has recently become a member of Artists Alliance and
as such Tautai members are entitled to avail themselves of certain
services. These include access to the advocacy and advice services
of Artists Alliance and also Tautai members are able to purchase Art
Alliance publications at discounted rates. ‘The Guide for Visual Artists’
is available at $15 (normally $20) and the ‘Artists’ Workbook’ which
normally retails for $30 is available to Tautai members for $20.
Call in to Artists Alliance at 1b Ponsonby Road or phone 09 376 7285.
Tautai Manager
Christina Jeffery has been a supporter of
Tautai since its inception. She has also had
a direct involvement in its activities through
various voluntary and paid roles including
being communications manager and most
recently the acting manager. She will be
well known to many members and will have
already had some contact with most people
involved in the wider Tautai community.
Christina holds a Bachelor of Arts degree
completed at Auckland University in 2003 with a focus on Pacific arts
and Maori history and then gained a Masters with a thesis in history. Her
experience includes work in New Zealand for a representation company
which involved handling the publicity and public relations for Hong Kong,
Macau, and Anaheim California as tourist destinations. Her recent projects
include the organisation for an association of family court professionals of a
large conference which had overseas judges amongst its speakers and she
was also the co-ordinator for Tautai of the exhibition Le Folauga achieved in
partnership with Auckland Museum.
In Christina’s words, “I have been and remain very committed to Tautai
Trust, strongly believing in its aims and ethos of mentoring, supporting, and
growing the art and the artists. The timing for me personally is now right to
commit fully to the manager role.”
Some Events/Exhibitions – July/August/September
Until 6 July Johnny Penisula @ Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific
Studies, Christchurch
4 – 19 July The Pathways of Matariki
inc. Lily Laita & Isaac Eroni Toa. Uxbridge, Howick
Until 21 July Ani O’Neill @ Sue Crockford Gallery, Auckland
5 July – 7 October Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow Isabelle StaronTutugoro & Fatu Feu’u. Tjibaou Cultural Centre, Noumea
14 July – 14 October EXISTENCE:life according to art inc. Andy
Leleisi’uao and Itania Nikolao. Waikato Museum, Hamilton
Until 27 July OFFSIDE
inc. Edith Amituanai. St Paul Street Gallery, Auckland
Until 20 July Annual Winter Exhibition
inc. Daniella Hulme. Rosslyn Gallery, Dunedin
14 July – 6 August aNIUmate
Nooroa Te Hira. Nathan Homestead, Manurewa
3 – 17 August Place, pattern and Soul
Daniella Hulme & Jenny McLeod. Letham Gallery, Auckland
31 August – 22 October MIT Grads - Manukau Graduates Show
inc. Vea Mafile’o. Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, Pakuranga
3–21 September Te Manea o Rarotonga
Sylvia Marsters. Reef, Symonds Street, Auckland
6–29 September Maka Tu’u Taha
Kulimoe’anga Maka & Samiu Napa’a
Fresh Gallery Otara, Manukau City
7 Sept – 21 Oct Dateline: contemporary Art from the Pacific
inc. Ani O’Neill,Filipe Tohi, Edith Amituanai, John Pule, Michel Tuffery,
Lonnie Hutchinson, Andy Leleisi’uao, Sheyne Tuffery, Veronica Vaevae,
Sima Urale, Eimi Tamua. NBK Gallery, Berlin, Germany
10 – 30 September Longitude
inc. Ani O’Neill, Chris Van Doren, Danielle Meredith, Ema Tavola,
Glenda Villisoni, Greg Semu, Lange Taufelila, Lina Marsh, Leilani Kake,
Letufa Taniela, Marlon Rivers, Nooroa Tapuni, Sam Matangi, Suia
Westbrooke, Siliga Setoga, Samiu Napa’a, Sheyne Tuffery, Taniela
Taniela, Troy Jackson. The Art Studio, Rarotonga
Until 27 August Asian Attitude/Transient Forces:
Contemporary Asian Art inc. Shigeyuki Kihara
National Museum of Poznan, Poland
Until 7 September Billboard Project
Emily Mafile’o at Te Tuhi, Pakuranga
Young Samoan artists Leanne Clayton, Nathan Suniola and Ann Crawley discuss
their art practice with Dr Peter Brunt at Okaioceanikart 28th May.
Design and layout of
Tautai Newsletter
Desktop Graphics Ltd
Contact: Tagi Cole
Ph: 09-376 3889 • Fax: 09-376 3969
Mob: 027-4826 302 • desktopgraphics@xtra.co.nz
*
Tautai receives major public funding from
Creative NZ and also receives significant
funding from ASB Community Trust.
ARTS COUNCIL OF NEW ZEALAND TOI AOTEAROA
Watch the Tautai Website and the weekly Pacific Arts Diary for News of Upcoming Events and Exhibitions