Fresh Gallery Otara opened its doors in 2006. It represents an exciting initiative of Manukau Arts working in partnership with the Otara community.
The gallery celebrated its fourth birthday in May 2010 with an exhibitino by Terry Koloamatangi Klavenes as part of the inaugural Manukau Pacific Arts Summit.
The gallery's vision is to function as a professional art space and to promote exhibitions that relate to the context of its location and the community. It provides a platform for emerging local artists to exhibit and sell their artwork whilst offering them the opportunity to develop an understanding of professional art practice.
The gallery has a schedule of monthly art exhibitions and always welcomes new artists. View our Arts in the City catalogue for details on our current exhibitions.
A unique space for contemporary Pacific art in New Zealand, the gallery has featured experimental art projects and collaborations with national and international artists such as Shigeyuki Kihara, John Ioane and Juan Castillo; and enabled local artists to profile their work.
A key role of the gallery has been to act as a springboard for local artists; giving them the profile and experience to exhibit nationally and internationally. Further to her exhibition at Fresh Gallery Otara, works by local Otara artist Leilani Kake have been shown in a solo exhibition at City Gallery Wellington in 2010 and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts in Taiwan in 2008. Local artists Terry Koloamatangi Kalvenes, Siliga David Setoga and Cerisse Palalagi have been included in the exhibition Urban Kainga, curated by Reuben Friend, at City Gallery Wellington's Deane Gallery in 2010.
The gallery has attracted interest from both local and international curators and writers; it was featured in the ArtAsiaPacific Almanac 2008, 2009 and 2010 and has been the subject of a number of reviews in New Zealand arts publications.
Ema Tavola - Pacific Arts Coordinator
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Ema Tavola
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The Pacific Arts Coordinator assists in the development of Pacific art and artists in Manukau. The role involves:
- Organising exhibitions
- Artist gatherings and events
- Sharing information about funding and opportunities with Pacific art networks and the Pacific Island community.
From identifying professional development opportunities for further education to organising artist exchanges and collaborations, the Pacific Arts Coordinator seeks opportunities to promote Manukau's Pacific arts, locally, nationally and internationally.
For further information, please contact Ema Tavola, email ema.tavola@manukau.govt.nz.
CNZ Pacific Arts Workshop 2008
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