'Amui 'i Mu'a - Ancient Futures

Available until 3 November, 2023

Dagmar Vaikalafi Dyck and Sopolemalama Filipe Tohi explore pathways between the past, present, and future in 'Amui 'i Mu'a - Ancient Futures by honouring treasured memories, maintaining, and preserving traditional oral knowledge and inspiring future generations.
Two free programmes are available for the duration of this exhibition.

Workshop 1 - Storytelling (suitable for all year levels). Tamariki will learn about the making and meanings behind ngatu, or barkcloth, including how it has been used as a visual means to record and tell stories within Tongan culture. Working together in groups tamariki will create designs on calico which explore pūrākau around identity, culture and environment, based on their classroom and school environment. These designs will be drawn and printed on using a range of media, including ink and paint, and will incorporate cultural patterns and designs which are relevant to themselves and their community.

Workshop 2 - Lalava (suitable for Intermediate and Secondary students). Tamariki will create artworks based on the ancient Tongan artform of lalava, or lashing. Traditionally sticks were bound together in geometric patterns and used to create structures including fale and vaka (canoe). Tamariki will work together to design and make either a fale or vaka structure using lalalva. The focus of this workshop is on working together, communication, and technology skills, including design and construction.

Key themes: Creativity, pūrākau, environment, visual literacy, lived experience, culture

Subject areas: Visual Arts, Social Sciences, Technology, History, Language, Sciences. Mathematics