stars, Matariki, by Michel Tuffery; the flamboyant glitter work
of Reuben Paterson; new work by Andy Leleisi’uao, who was
on residency in New York City as part of his 2017 Paramount
Wallace Art Award; the evolution of Vlad 13 featuring black
pearl eyes by Julian
Hooper; and new
from Benjamin Work,
a series which explores
the process of manner
and of approach as the
artist “navigates the
MPA#1 Installation, Tungane Broadbent,
Reuben Paterson, Mark Cross and
relational spaces and
Andy Leleisi'uao
connections to our
natural environment
as well as the impact on our social and political climate in these
rapidly changing times.” There is the subtle floral brilliance of
Sylvia Marsters, Distillation of Death by Nanette Lela’ulu, and
from Raymond Sagapolutele, a digital print, Feagaiga/Covenant,
which represents the lifelong commitment in Samoan culture of
brothers to respect, serve and honour their sisters. “It was an honour to be included in this exhibition and exhibit
beside friends and some of the best Cook Island and New
Zealand artists at this current time. The image is part of a body
of work that I am creating around my family history,” says
Kitto, the Makea Palace grounds discovered to be one of many
family ties to the island. “I’m wanting to create images that
document my own memories, but that also leave room for the
viewer to apply their own interpretation and experiences. This
is something I try to apply to all my photography.”
Brendan Kitto is one of the three new artists in the show, an
Auckland based photographer of predominantly urban popular
culture and fashion. Makea’s Palace, 2018, was inspired by his
journey to retrace his family’s Rarotongan heritage, beginning
with his New Zealand grandfather Donald Reid, who was
Secretary to the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands in
1939-50, and his Rarotongan grandmother, Teariki Upokoina
Rose Estall. And so the Pacific
tradition of creativity
MPA#1 Installation, Mark Cross, Andy
continues - a call to
Leleisi'uao, Benjamin Work, Julian Hooper
question connection
and Mahiriki Tangaroa
and conflict, sense of
place and sense of the
personal, and a way to see the future. MPA#2 will be its next
evolution.
Eyes are drawn first and last though to the epic narrative that is
Mark Cross’s Lua & Segomo, War Gods in Spring.
“This goes back to an idea that has come up in my work from
time to time - the tension between two opposites,” says Cross.
“There are no answers here and these two war gods are poised
forever to be in
conflict suggesting
that humanity’s
penchant for war may
never be overcome.”
Pearl & Art Gallery
PRECIOUS PEARLS, ELEGANT JEWELLERY, COOK ISLANDS ART
Simple Elegance & Timeless Beauty
Local Art by: JUDITH KUNZLE - Limited Edition Prints • ALLAN TUARA - Traditional Carving
Escape Magazine • 41
Located UPTOWN Avarua, Taputapuatea • ph (682) 22312 • www.moanagems.co.ck