Two Pacific curators from Christchurch have collaborated to exhibit the work of several contemporary Pacific artists. Felolini Maria Ifopo is the architect behind “Baby You Can Drive My Car”, a photo essay of Pacific people in Christchurch. Commenting on the photographs, Maria said, “everyone has them; pictures of your family posing in front of cars. I’m hoping to capture – through the pictures, a documentary of Pacific Island people settling in Aotearoa to the present day.” Her art is also featured in “Bite Me!”, an exhibition of contemporary art curated by Stephanie Oberg which includes the work of other Christchurch-based artists Andy Leleisi’uao, Stone Maka, Lonnie Hutchinson, Raphael Stowers, and guest Niuean artist Cerisse Palalagi from Auckland. This provocative exhibition is grounded in the lived experiences of New Zealand-born Pacific artists, and challenges outmoded Pacific motifs and stereotypes. The public can view the exhibitions from Tuesday 16th December at Our City O Tautahi (corner of Oxford Terrace and Worcester Boulevard). They run until 4 February 2009.
"Baby You Can Drive my Car" and "Bite Me!" Christchurch, Our City O-Tautahi: 16.12.08 - 4.2.09
