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Mo’ui ‘Aonga Tongan Cultural Centre

Ema Tavola — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 03:18:33 +0000

By Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai

Shop frontage of the Mo’ui ‘Aonga Tongan Cultural Centre with a new sign created in February by graffiti / aerosol artist Benjamin Work.

The Mo’ui ‘Aonga Tongan Cultural Centre (MATCC) is located on 23/6 Hall Avenue, Ōtāhuhu. It has been in this location for 13 years. MATCC was set up in 2000 by the Mo’ui ‘Aonga Trust (Trust) of which involved Sunia Tūkia (currently the Chairperson of the Trust), Meleane Tūkia, Tupou Dale and Tangisi ‘Otutaha. Today the Trust has six active members with key responsibilities in the running of the MATCC. The main purpose behind setting up the Trust and in turn the MATCC is to educate the younger generation, in particular New Zealand born Tongans, about the various art forms of nimamea’a (or Tongan fine arts).

Inside the Mo’ui ‘Aonga Tongan Cultural Centre

Nimamea’a is predominantly the domain of women and this is reflected in what you can find for sale in MATCC which range from various types and sizes of fine mats, adornments, waist mats, baskets, barkcloth, wall hangings, fans and dance costumes. All of the art works in the MATCC use both natural materials from Tonga and synthetic materials found locally.

‘Amelia Pasa standing beside a collection of plastic grapes adornments that she made.

The use of new materials which show the ingenuity and innovation of Tongan women artists who are adapting their knowledge and skills to make use of their local resources is something that the Trust and MATCC promote. Examples of a trend that apparently started in 2010, and still very popular today, are adornments made out of plastic grapes in a variety of colours. The creativity involved in the use of the plastic grapes is the reason why a set of adornments made by MATTC artist ‘Amelia Pasa was recently purchased by the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum Cultures of the World in Cologne, Germany to be included in an upcoming exhibition later this year in October.

The MATCC has exhibited their works in an exhibition at Fresh Gallery Otara in 2009 called Koloa et al: Your Art is my Treasure. They also had a one day display of their works during the 2012 Matala Festival held at Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku in September last year.

Tongan Artist: 'Matala' by Ruha

Hema Fifita — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:41:57 +0000

This is a beautiful piece of Artwork, combining both traditional and contemporary techniques I would love to have this hanging up on my wall.

Artist: Ruha, Title: ‘Matala’ (Bloom)

‘Matala’ , is Tongan for bloom or blossom. The piece has been created on traditional Tongan Tapa cloth using natural dyes and Acrylic metallic paint. Inspired by ancient Tongan designs, it is a reflection on the beauty, strength and life within a society that respects culture and tradition as the strongest foundation for sustainable change.

Tapa cloth or ‘Ngatu’ is natural fabric made from beaten Mulberry bark. It is extremely valuable in Tongan culture and is a symbol of the importance of women, as, in Tonga, its production is solely the role and pride of women.

Source: International Womens Day website

Tu’a ‘ofa atu Hema

The birth of a Tongan Masterpiece by Sitiveni Fehoko

Hema Fifita — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 04:59:53 +0000

Tongan Masterpiece 'Vaka Ika Moana' by Sitiveni Fehoko

Tongan Master Carver Sitiveni Fehoko was sponsored late last year by Waterfront Lodge to create the first living monument in Tonga. This is the story of the birth of VAKA IKA MOANA, the Fish spirit of the Ocean. Check out his creative vision!

In a Tongan residence in Vaini by the lagoon, there is a big old mango tree. It is said to be a historical place called Vai ko fele fonu, a place used by ancient kings and fishermen a like as a resting spot before going fishing. Now the old mango tree is practically dead and it is to be turned into a monument honouring the old Kings and the fish spirit of the ocean.

Fehoko talks about his creative vision:

‘When fishermen went in their canoes fishing, sometimes they would get lost at sea in a stormy night’. There is an old legend that says that there is always one light in the sea water that will help them and show them the way back home and that is the VAKA IKA MOANA, the Fish spirit of the Ocean. And depending on the shape and size of the light, you could recognize which fish spirit shows you the way to follow and be safe, the hakula (marlin), pele (dolphin), tofua’a (whale), same (mahi mahi), fai (sting ray), or the fonu (turtles).

Now the Spirit of the fishermen’s ancestors is in the carving of the monument, back into the sacred tree’.

CARVERS:
Sitiveni Fehoko – Master Carver
Sitiveni Fehoko Jr.
Siokatame Falatau
Afui Kolomalu
Moa’ila Fa’oa
Petelo Save

Tu’a ’ofa atu Hema

Tongan Tapa, Installing Ngatu tā’uli

Hema Fifita — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 07:47:18 +0000

I posted this on my Facebook page when this exhibition first opened last month and still i’m still raving about it. Thank you to the Queensland Art Gallery for commissioning, exhibiting and preserving a valuable piece of Tongan culture.

The Tongan Women’ group, Kulupu Falehanga ‘i Teleiloa, New Zealand/Tonga showing their Ngatu’uli creation, during the handing over cermony to the Queensland Art Gallery in Auckland in September 2011.

Ngatu tā’uli 2011 | Queensland Art Gallery Foundation | Collection: Queensland Art Gallery

Check out the Queensland Art Gallery blog which shows some beautiful behind the scene pictures of a 3 day installation of the Ngatu tā’uli 2011 tapa getting ready for the ‘Threads: Contemporary Textiles and the Social Fabric’ which opened last month in Brisbane.