Lalaga: Le Hui Fono

Artists and collaborators: Kim Kahu, Itāmua Muaiāoomālō Mataiva D Robertson
Kesaia Biuvanua, Amy Sao Tui, Suzan Kostanich, Tevita Latu, Taniela Petelo, Yasmin Aho, Sean Hill, Haoro Hond, with members from Seleka International Arts Society Initiative, Hikule‘o ‘o Ono‘aho (Tu‘ifonualava Kaivelata, ‘Uluaki Kaivelata), Mahi Moana (Tau‘ili‘ili Alpha Maiava), and Ivi

Emerging from an ongoing commitment to deepen relationships of collaboration and mutual support between Pasifika artists and communities in Taranaki and across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery presents Lalaga: Le Hui Fono—an unfolding exhibition and series of programmes, on until May 2025.

The project draws its title from the process of weaving—lalaga, lālanga, raranga, talia vata. The concept implies intentional and skilful interlacing of distinct strands to create something new that is imbued with strength, beauty and resilience. Drawing upon the rich legacy of creative practices that have flourished across Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, the exhibition emerges from the institution’s responsibility to make itself open to responding to and being shaped by the aspirations of local communities.

Lalaga: Le Hui Fono includes new works and works which will be developed in-situ throughout the exhibition’s season. These projects have been developed during and in response to a series of residencies and exchanges in recent years between artists living in Taranaki, Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. Among these are a newly composed ngatu (bark cloth), completed  with Fiji-based artist Kesaia Biuvanua and Taranaki-based artists Amy Sao Tui and Suzan Kostanich, and a large-scale mural conceived by Taranaki-based artists Sean Hill and Haoro Hond in collaboration with Tongan collective Seleka International Art Society Initiative. Weavings will also  be realised by Kim Kahu and invited collaborators, and Itāmua Muaiāoomālō Mataiva D Robertson with the Ngāmotu Lalaga Weavers.

Also included is a significant historic ngatu launima (Tongan bark cloth) from the collection of Puke Ariki Museum, on display for the first time in three decades. The works inclusion encourages a rekindling of connection to material practice, and fosters new exchanges of knowledge and storytelling.

Lalaga: Le Hui Fono belongs to an ongoing project that has included residencies, exchanges, events and emerging relationships that have developed since 2022. These collaborations have been shaped by a purpose that affirms the social role of creative practice, designed to exceed the boundaries of exhibition walls and timeframes and question the role of the Gallery. In Lalaga: Le Hui Fono, artists and Pasifika communities transform the gallery into a space for sharing knowledge, questions, conversations, and creative possibilities that contribute to collective culture and wellbeing.

The Lalaga project has been guided by Theresa Tongi, the Gallery’s Pacific Public Program coordinator, Ruha Fifita, Govett-Brewster Pacific Curator at Large and the Gallery’s Te Moana nui-a-Kiwa Advisory Group.

Creative New Zealand has been a key supporter of the Lalaga project.