Page 37 - Islands Business May-June 2022

A Pacific Feminist Agenda

AUT’s latest sponsored exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery’s
Declaration: A Pacific Feminist Agenda opened on 26 March.

Curated by Ane Tonga, Declaration brings together 12 projects, rarely seen artworks and ephemera from institutional and
prominent artists from across the Pacific whose works set private collections, Declaration builds a Pacific feminist trajectory
a feminist agenda by bringing to the fore the most pressing within contemporary art.
issues of our times: climate change and resilience, tino Declaration runs until Sunday 31 Jul 2022.
rangatiratanga (sovereignty), activism and social justice.
Exhibiting artists include AUT alumnus Kalisolaite ‘Uhila,
who completed a Master of Performance and Media Arts
at AUT in 2016, and was awarded the Harriet Friedlander
Residency in 2021.
The new Vice-Chancellor of AUT, Damon Salesa, says it
is wonderful to see this celebration of Pacific feminist art at
Auckland Art Gallery.
“Matrilineal knowledge and strength are central to people
of the Moana. Time and again we hear our students tell us
how they stand on the shoulders of their grandmothers and
mothers. AUT is proud to be partner to this latest exhibition
at Auckland Art Gallery, on the back of the success of Toi
Tū Toi Ora. I know I will take the opportunity to visit this
exhibition many times and I encourage everyone at AUT
and in our city to make time to visit.”
Artists in this exhibition draw on the power of matrilineal
knowledge, put their bodies on the line, and amplify voices Declaration: A Pacific Feminist Agenda features works by Jasmine Togo-Brisby,
Marti Friedlander, Jessicoco Hansell, Taloi Havini, Lonnie Hutchinson, Ioane Ioane,
to reflect an approach to feminism that empowers the Sione Monū, Suzanne Tamaki, Latai Taumoepeau, Molly Rangiwai-McHale & Luisa
agency of all genders. Presenting major commissioned Tora and Kalisolaite ’Uhila.

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