We opened two water shows last week in South Auckland, celebrating the opening of both exhibitions at Vunilagi Vou. Both exhibitors, David Garcia and Antonio Filipo, shared insights to their practices, and both exhibitions are now open until 12 May 2021.
- Make an appointment to view big islands deep oceans by David Garcia at Vunilagi Vou here
- Check out Ngāti Ōtara by Antonio Filipo at The Alexander Cafe from Monday to Friday, 7am-3pm, and Saturday, 8am-2pm.
Two talanoa events are in the pipeline for two water shows, reflecting the kaupapa and contexts of each exhibition. More information coming soon!
Good reads
Last weekend, I had the privilege of featuring on e-Tangata – Aotearoa’s excellent Māori and Pacific Sunday digital magazine. Read the full story here for some background and context of Vunilagi Vou. Vinaka vakalevu to the whole team for this work, especially photographer Cornell Tukiri.
Some excellent writing has been published as part of the Creative New Zealand Pacific Arts Legacy Project on Pantograph Punch. FAFSWAG co-founder, Tanu Gago’s recent essay was particularly excellent – check it out here.
Another good read was this article by Leonie Hayden for The SpinOff detailing Auckland Art Gallery’s current challenges in creating a culturally safe space for employees. This article follows news of former Curator Māori, Nigel Borell leaving the role citing systemic racism and differing views on power-sharing.
The VV Stock Room collection that was up at Ōtara’s The Alexander Cafe from February to March 2021 was featured in Pantograph Punch’s Unmissables offering a fresh perspective on FAFSWAG artist, Moe Laga’s 2014 series, Feau o Fafine. This work, Smoko Break was shot in what is now Vunilagi Vou, pre makeover! Check out writer, Tulia Thompson’s review here.
Yoga & Meditation at Vunilagi Vou
Last week we started offering two weekly yoga and meditation classes with South Auckland-based instructor, Gamo Farani Tomlin. The classes are limited to eight participants and aim to make yoga and meditation accessible to local South Auckland communities. David Garcia’s solo exhibition, big islands deep oceans is an ideal creative setting for these classes!
Booking is essential; send Gamo a message via Instagram or text message: 021 1001448. Classes are at 5.30pm on Mondays and 10.30am on Wednesdays. All abilities welcome!
Writing VV:Dua
A Creative New Zealand funded project that started in 2020, mid-pandemic, was the development of a publication about Vunilagi Vou’s first year of operation – VV:Dua – dua being ‘one’ in Fijian. The work started, and then stopped, the project was granted an extension, and then stalled again. Keeping Vunilagi Vou alive became the priority that took energy away from writing, but finally, the end is in sight.
This small publication will be launched on June 10, marking Vunilagi Vou’s second anniversary. It includes summaries of the frankly outrageous amount of work, projects, workshops and events that Vunilagi Vou delivered in its first nine months, and the impact the global pandemic had in shapeshifting not only the location, but the whole ethos of the business.
Grateful for the understanding of Pacific Arts funding advisors; this past year has had incredible highs and lows, but the investment from Creative New Zealand’s Arts Continuity Grant programme helped provide some much needed stability.
Watch this space!