The Pasifika Showcase explored two ‘afakasi artists, Tai Nimo and Luca Walton, who mainly work with print and digital illustration. Luca Walton’s art captures strong Pasifika bodies, just as they are. Tai Nimo’s works are a vibrant exploration of self-identity through the strong female figures in her own family. During the show, 4-by-6 inch prints were available to take! Though, the biggest takeaway really is how these two artists are averting the gaze of Western-centric artworld to a more inclusive one (rightfully so!).
It’s important to understand how both artists fill up the window panels of the Ellen Melville Centre at the heart of the city, at such a large scale. You can see both of their works from High Street and around the window panels, standing from Chancery Square. To have artists of Pasifika heritage at the spotlight in a main area has been so rare to see growing up, but it’s being done. I can’t imagine who else the baton would be handed to, but couldn’t be more excited to see.
A definite must-see! Art that lights up the centre of the city.