Pacific Gods of the Underworld

Pacific Youth 16years + of Tongan, Samoan, Maori, Fijian, Kiribati & Tuvalu, and Niue from the Western suburbs of Melbourne will, in conjunction with Australian giant puppet company Snuff Puppets, create giant puppets inspired by the Myths and Legend stories of Pacific elders as well as by these youths’ own experiences. As well as building, this group will learn how to perform in the giant puppets, helping to develop character through physical signifiers and storylines for performance.

Outcome: The giant puppets will take part in Brimbank Council’s Multicultural Light Up Sunshine on 14 March 2015. The puppets will also be available for use at other events throughout the year —Mai Pasifika Film Fest, Mate; Pacific rituals of death exhibition & Gift of Light, Federation Square 2015.

Funded by Australia Council for the Arts and Brimbank City Council.

The Melbourne Tapa (fabricating the tapa)

The Melbourne Tapaexplores the migration journey of 4 Pacific Communities in Melbourne told through 20 metres of beaten bark cloth. It is a vibrant contemporary representation undertaken by 13 women from the Samoan, Fijian, Maori and Tongan communities living in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. 


This project is a Community collaboration curated by Loketi Niua Latu, supported by the Brimbank Council, Craft Victoria, Fefine Polinisia and the Australia Pacific Arts Network.


In order for the barkcloth to be ready, it takes months of work to prepare it.  Below are photos of the weekly preparation done by the women in order for the barkcloth to be ready for the project to begin.


 SBS Radio Interview:
1. Interview in the Tongan language with Lavinia Latu Taipaleti-Valu  & Loketi Niua Latu
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/tongan/highlight/page/id/196361/t/Museum-Program

2. Interview in the Tongan language with Lady Fielakepa.
http://www.sbs.com.au/yourlanguage/tongan/highlight/page/id/196363/t/Ms-Tuna-Fielakepa-Interview/

             Hunt Club Community Arts Centre

                                              Craft Victoria Visit           

Design Phase

Cutting Phase

Glueing Phase

Lunch & sharing of the prepared barkcloth, 

with discussions about the proposed project 

@ The Hunt Club Community Arts Centre

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Curators

Sana Balai (NGV), Loketi Niua Latu (APAN), Jo Ely (Hunt Club), Judith Ryan (NGV), Joe Pascoe (Craft VIC), Debbie Pryor (Craft VIC)

Loketi & Rose 

Emeretta Cross (Footscray Community Arts Centre)

Dean Michaels (Hunt Club Community Arts Centre)

Leanne Clayton (APAN) & Laura Williams (Australian Museum)