Kelekele mo'ui

Artist talk Friday 5 February, 4pm

Kelekele mo'ui (Giving Life) is a new performance work by artist-in-residence Kalisolaite 'Uhila. The ordinary materials installed in the space–rope, compost and a few tarps–will be activated by the artist with a simple gesture that speaks to the complicated context of Christchurch and ideas of regeneration. The rope alludes to the legend of Māui fishing up Aotearoa’s North Island and the umbilical cord of new birth. When flicked, the movement also resembles the richter scale graphs that charted the shifting of the land during the numerous earthquakes that shook this region. Through his performance ‘Uhila expresses empathy for the people of Canterbury and courage for the renewal of both the city and the local community.
 

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila achieved his Bachelor of Visual Arts from Auckland University of Technology, Auckland in 2010. His performance works have been included in Ongo Mei Moana, Performance Arcade, 2015; Walters Prize Finalists Exhibition, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Auckland, 2014; Tonga Democracy Festival, Atenisi University, Tonga, 2014; Puehu: Cultural Dust, The Suter Arts Gallery, Nelson; More Than We Know, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, 2013; What do you mean we?, Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, 2012; Reflection on Rena, Bay of Plenty Polytech, Tauranga, 2012; Stowaway + The Performance Arcade, New Zealand Fringe Festival, Wellington + Te Papa Museum, Wellington, 2012; Matala celebration of Tongan Artists, Mangere Arts Centre, 2012; The Anatomy of Paradise, Mother Man, Artstation, Auckland, 2012; Auckland Fringe Festival, Mangere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku, 2011; Pigs in the Yard, Performance Arcade, Aotea Square, 2011; TILT, ST PAUL St Gallery 3, Auckland, 2010; Make/Shift, St Paul St Gallery, Auckland, 2010; Don’t Pacify Me, ST PAUL St Gallery, Auckland, 2009.