24-04-2025
Talanoa Talks Of Pāsifika Futures At Art Show
The future of Taranaki's Pāsifika communities is up for debate this weekend at New Plymouth's contemporary art museum.
A Talanoa – an in-depth conversation – will run for three days at the district's Govett-Brewster Art Gallery as part of the exhibition : .
Highlights include community cooking sessions and shared kai, artist presentations, workshops, youth and community-led talks and curatorial discussions on Pacific art practices.
The Gallery says the Talanoa explores 'how art, cultural practice, and collective dreaming can shape a vibrant future for Pasifika people in Taranaki and beyond.'
Govett Brewster director Zara Stanhope said : was showing new art created in the gallery alongside historical artworks, encouraging intergenerational storytelling.
Dr Stanhope said the exhibition was guided by Pacific public programme coordinator Theresa Tongi, Pacific curator-at-large Ruha Fifita, and the Gallery's Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa Advisory Group.
Lalaga means to weave together, or woven, and the Talanoa was created in collaboration with Pacific artists, youth ambassadors and community leaders.
'The Talanoa sessions are a dynamic extension of our current exhibition, : , weaving together the exhibition artists and our community, aiming to deepen connections.'
The Gallery's public programs and learning lead Lleah Smith said the exhibition was a 'long-term initiative designed to deepen relationships between the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa creatives.'
She said it fostered 'collaboration, mutual support, and cultural exchange, making it essential for anyone… supporting and celebrating Pasifika art and culture,"
Like most Govett-Brewster events entry is free apart from the community-led kai on Saturday afternoon, which is $15.
: is open until 11 May
