Streetwear designs from two Manukau artists, Ofa Mafi and Allen Vili, will be on display at Fresh Gallery Otara during a new exhibition that opens on 15 May 2009. The South Style exhibition will display the designs inspired by the fashion and style of Manukau youth. A participant in last year’s Villa Maria Cult-Couture event, Ofa Mafi explores modern clothing with screen-printed messages and labelling. Allen Vili uses hoodies and other clothing as an unconventional canvas to display his skill in spray-painting. Also showing at Fresh Gallery Otara will be eight large-scale photographs of Manukau youth showing off their personal style. The striking images taken by Vinesh Kumaran at this year’s ASB Polyfest capture the inspiration behind the exhibition. “Polyfest is where the young people really strut their stuff; it’s an absolute hot bed of ‘south style’,” says Ema Tavola, Pacific Arts Co-ordinator for Manukau City Council and curator of “South Style”. “The exhibition captures the confidence and conviction of these young people, representing who they are through what they wear,” she says. South Style shows at Fresh Gallery Otara from 15 May to 6 June. A public programme featuring the artists in conversation with Steven Ball will be held on Saturday 23 May, at 12 noon.
Image courtesy of Fresh Gallery Otara
Hey, some pretty cool fashion designs here…