“Matua o Faiaogo Muamua: Parents Are Our First Teachers” is an exhibition by Pelenato Liufau that opens today (Thursday 18 February 2010) at Fresh Gallery Otara in South Auckland. Of his work, Pelenato says that it acknowledges “instances when children have been exposed to questionable parental practices and when the impact of prioritising cultural and religious obligations over nurturing leads to neglect and child abuse. Being a father has enabled me, with Island eyes, to witness and become aware of particular situations where the cultural traditions and religion of the local Island community have a stronghold on the individual. Children are the unacknowledged victims of change regardless of ethnicity.” Pelenato Liufau is a recent graduate of Manukau School of Visual Arts. The exhibition runs from 19 February to 13 March 2010. The artist will deliver a talk on Saturday 6 March, from 12 to 1.30 pm.
(Untitled, by Pelenato Liufau, 2009. Silkscreen print on vinyl, 1055×960mm. Image courtesy of Fresh Gallery Otara)
