Australian exhibit showcases work of Pasifika artists

An exhibition showcasing innovative work from nine Pacific artists has opened in Melbourne, Australia.

The Niu Trans-Pacific's Tautai and Blak Dot exhibition features the hiapo or Niuean tapa cloth, billboard-sized murals and digital paintings.

The show will also feature sculpture, photography and videography work from the Cook Islands, New Zealand, Samoa, New Caledonia and Fiji.

Kanak artist Naawie Tutugoro from New Caledonia said her presentation included site-specific sculptural drawings.

Caged Birds from Tobe Nwige inspired her two-piece installation My God Has An Afro.

"I have drawn from certain realities of our ancestral experience, coping mechanisms of satire and sugar-coating permeates the vibrant, playful and feminine approach in manoeuvring the lack of visibility."

The New Zealand-based artist said her work illuminated moments from her childhood and "emphasises the contextual negotiations of place and space".

And Niuean artist Cora-Allan Wickliffe said she liked to explore representations of indigenous people.

She said her work on the hiapo was the revival of an art form that was almost lost.

"Hiapo is a rare art form that has been sleeping in the museums and - until I revived the practice in the last few years - it hasn't really been on display anywhere. With my efforts and through the community and people of Niue and throughout the Pacific, we've been able to have hiapo now living in the community again.

"I've been using it as gifts for ceremonies, in art exhibitions and as items of trade for people who do other crafts like weaving. So Niue has hiapo once again living amongst us."

Other artists include Israel Randell, Kelly Lafaiki, Gina Ropiha, Rangituhia Hollis, Mereani Qalovakawasa and Talia Smith.

The exhibition ends on 1 December.