Home AKL

The first major group exhibition of contemporary Pacific art developed by Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki will open on Saturday 7 July.

Home AKL is a dynamic exhibition presenting works by Pacific artists, most of whom live in Auckland.

Home AKL reveals the increasingly significant role Pacific art plays in New Zealand's identity and cultural landscape, and includes work by more than 20 artists whose heritage derives from the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.

'New Zealand's contemporary Pacific art reflects many distinctive voices, stories and perspectives – it's urban, biographical and affected by its grass-roots community,' says the Gallery's Senior Curator, New Zealand and Pacific Art, Ron Brownson.

Artwork by three generations of Pacific artists show how these practitioners use personal experience to examine concepts of 'home' and belonging.

'It is impossible to consider New Zealand art today without taking account of the influence of the Pacific,' says Home AKL Associate Curator Ema Tavola of Fresh Gallery Otara. Also working with the Gallery on this exhibition are Associate Curators Nina Tonga and Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai.

A range of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, video and adornment has been selected. Alongside artwork from the Gallery's collection and
loans, Home AKL will feature 13 new commissions, including five from Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu and present work by Joana Monolagi, Louisa Humphry, Kaetaeta Watson, Foufili Halagigie, Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine, Kolokesa Kulīkefu, Hūlita Tupou and Lakiloko Keakea.

Home AKL's opening day will be celebrated with free entry to the exhibition, music and performances. A family-friendly Big Day Art will also be held with art workshops inspired by the exhibition. Over the course of Home AKL, the exhibition's supporting visitor programme will include free artist talks, film screenings and a seminar.

The exhibition is generously supported by Creative New Zealand and art patrons Rose Dunn and the Friedlander Foundation.

Exhibition Patrons: Albert Refiti, Senior Lecturer and Head of Spatial Design Department, AUT University and Caroline Vercoe, Senior Lecturer Art History Department, University of Auckland.

Artists: Edith Amituanai, Graham Fletcher, Tanu Gago, Foufili Halagigie, Niki Hastings-McFall, Louisa Humphry, Lonnie Hutchinson, Ioane Ioane, Leilani Kake, Lakiloko Keakea, Shigeyuki Kihara, Kolokesa Kulīkefu, Jeremy Leatinu'u, Andy Leleisi'uao, Janet Lilo, Joana Monolagi, Ani O'Neill, Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine, John Pule, Greg Semu, Siliga David Setoga, Paul Tangata, Angela Tiatia, Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi, Teuane Tibbo, Hūlita Tupou, Jim Vivieaere, Kaetaeta Watson.

Exhibition curators: Senior Curator – Ron Brownson, Associate Curators – Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai, Nina Tonga and Ema Tavola.

Adults $5, Children under 14 free