20th April - Tongan Style

This week we went to Fresh Gallery and saw an exhibition called Tongan Style which was a tribute to Tonga's cultural heritage and religion but also to the five Tongan artists who are women. The exhibit explores embroidery and crochet as fine arts as the items in the show strongly represent various Tongan ceremonies involving gift-giving, marriage, christenings, funerals, and most of the sheets can be used for decoration in church or the home. From looking at this exhibit I can easily understand that Tonga is very religious and very loyal to their identity as a race, as we were told at the gallery Tonga actually has more churches than schools. What stood out to me about this show was that everything was made from scratch and made by women, I think I heard someone say the work women shift? But also the fact that even though most of the items were made decades ago, in Tonga they are still current. Some examples are:

Tupenu matala'i'akau (1973/74)
An embroidered sheet by Kolokesa Kulikefu which was used as a blanket to carry her newborn niece in when going to church, hospital or to cover her bed when expecting visitors. This item reinforces the idea of strong religious ceremonies and views in Tonga. Also the patterns of flowers and birds represent and respect the relationship they have with the land which is a rather spiritual view.

Teunga Iotu (2002)
This church outfit by Noma 'Ofa-Ki-Nu-'usila Talakia'atu was made to be worn for the end of the year service for 2002. It features a ta 'ovala (waist mat) which is a significant part of the formal attire for church.
Teunga Iotu (September 2009)
This one also by Noma was made to be worn for Sepitema - a specific Sunday in September that is dedicated to women who have reached the equivalent of men's lay preacher, where they renew their governance with God.
Both of these outfits reinforce the idea of Tonga keeping to its culture, keeping its style current and though these church outfits look old and out of date they are actually what Tongan women would wear to church this Sunday.

Overall I really appreciate the link to culture and religion but also the technical side of it, the intricate detail of the threading and pattern etc. To sum up this exhibition I would say it is a small but strong representation of Tongan culture but with a modern overlay, it is like by having this show in NZ and particularly Otara it sends a particular message, one that safeguards Tonga's cultural heritage.