I’ve started a new project. PIMPI has grown from my alter-ego, to a Tumblr, to a blog, to a business. I have talked about the idea of establishing an agency to represent Pacific visual artists. PIMPI is the beginnings.
It’s a new day, and a new beginning – same kaupapa, Oceania through and through… new site: www.PimpiKnows.com
Untitled (Tuiga) by Aaron Unasa
Constructed with found objects
Some works stood out for me at the annual Tautai Trust tertiary students exhibition at Auckland’s St Paul St Gallery. The exhibition, This Must Be The Place has been curated by Samoan performance artist and educator, Jeremy Leatinu’u. It feels like a tight show, almost educational – I liked it a lot more than past tertiary student exhibitions.
Since my first trip to Samoa in 2010, I have been fascinated with tuiga (ceremonial head dress) and have wanted to curate an exhibition of tuiga in their various forms. I really enjoyed Aaron Unasa’s tuiga made from found objects.
Untitled (Nifo’oti), Aaron Unasa
I like reading rooms / reading tables, but I was disappointed that Alana Lopesi didn’t show the work she had posted on her blog. It felt like a bold statement about the current exhibition Home AKL at Auckland Art Gallery – Pacific artists making critical commentary about the world around them excite me. But I’m definitely watching Lopesi’s practice as it develops.
The exhibition is up until Friday 27 July – check it out.
Remembering Rèmy Aniseko, a fighter til the end. My sweet son with Taka Aniseko passed away last night, miscarried at Middlemore Hospital in South Auckland at just 17 weeks and six days. He was our hopes and dreams… our catalyst for change.
We spent an hour watching his tiny heart beat after a traumatic journey from womb to hospital room. All the fears and morphine-resistant pain melted when we saw him; perfect and long, tiny hands, tiny feet… Taka’s nose.
We are surrounded by immense love from family and friends, but this freshly broken heart will endure darkness. The path ahead is paved with tears and memories, haunting self-doubt… each day will be an effort to think positively when part of me knows your loss cripples me and I am in pieces.
This evening we watched the sunset over Mangere. A reminder that time will heal, and that there is always light after darkness. Rèmy, baby, rest in love and peace. You have made an indelible mark on our lives and we will never be the same.
On the last night, we prepared the Tongan ngatu, Samoan siapo and Fijian masi that Rèmy will be buried in. This was the hardest night. There is a thick fog over South Auckland, it is bitterly cold. Tomorrow we will bury Rèmy at Manukau Memorial Gardens.
It’s day three of my new self-employment. There have been a few quiet panic attacks… What is my purpose? What if I run out of things to do between 9am to 6pm? What if something happens at Fresh? What if people forget me? …but in general, I feel at peace with my decision. And I feel a great affinity with this work by Thomas Howes who I follow on Flickr.
I wrote a piece for the current issue of Metro magazine, which I’ve enjoyed seeing in print. It was about my perspective on whether Auckland is a Pacific city. In line with my current addiction to Twitter, I asked my followers for insights into the topic. The responses were varied and intriguing. I didn’t get to acknowledge Fijian journalist and friend Ariela Zibiah in my piece, but I am deeply grateful for her responses to my Twitter enquiries.
Next month the exhibition Home AKL opens at Auckland Art Gallery. I’m doing a talk along with Assistant Curator, Julia Waite on Sunday 15 July from 3-4pm. I’m also speaking on a panel discussing Why Pacific art now? on Sunday 19 August. There are lots of workshops, activities and talks planned for Home AKL – check out the Facebook page for updates.
I bought a whiteboard. It is full of projects and tasks. I’m quite busy, for someone who is technically unemployed.
This has been an unusual week, dreaming about work and conflict, the ocean and snakes. I’m going to start making some art this weekend.
A placard created by Samoan visual artist Siliga David Setoga.
My planned placard didn’t end up happening.
The story on TVNZ’s Tagata Pasifika (14 June 2012)
My sister Mereia Carling was transiting through Auckland on her back home to Suva, Fiji. This is us with Labour party star Carmel Sepuloni and Stacey Leilua.
What did you have for breakfast?
Scrambled eggs + toast.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Suva, Fiji and raised in London and Brussels. I finished my secondary education in Wellington, New Zealand.
How has your thinking changed / what have you learnt?
I do a lot of looking, observing from the outside… I have a lot of questions, and am often plagued with contradiction. I have learnt to own my position of enquiry, and not dissect it to fit into other people’s boxes.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Leaving Fiji to manage life solo in Aotearoa.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I definitely overuse ‘potentially’. And ‘strategically’. And I swear a lot.
Who do you admire and why?
I admire people who work hard, because they are inspiring and make me want to work hard too. I admire people who embed their lives in service to their communities. And I admire mothers, because it feels like shaping a child’s life and experience is the most important job in the world.
What book last made an impression on you?
Musrum by Eric Thacker and Anthony Earnshaw.
One thing you wish you had?
The ability to live in two places at once.
On what occasion would you lie?
I have issues with honesty.
Which piece of art really matters to you?
A painting called 4 Women (2008) by Sangeeta Singh; I bought it in Suva.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Birds… I had bronchitis recently and my ears were semi–blocked, I somehow tuned into the bird frequency, and since then have not stopped hearing the birds. There are tui in my garden, who always make me smile.. on the inside.
What do you like around you while you work?
A cup of tea, reference material, snacks and Blu–tack.
What is art for?
To reflect the human condition.
