In this work, the central figure is a Fijian matakau – a carved female ancestor figure, featuring tattooed hips, loins and mouth. It is from central Viti Levu, and is the “property” of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The civavonovono (breastplate) featured is the “property” of Auckland War Memorial Museum. This digital collage is a form of repatriation, positioning both the matakau and civavonovono within a backdrop of the Fijian garden of our family home in Wailoku, Suva, Fiji. The moon, stars, flora and fauna reference the ecological wisdom inherent in indigenous knowledge and belief systems that guided life before Christian indoctrination.
This print series was produced for, and inspired by, the Melanesian Festival Aotearoa and the profound visibility it has created for Auckland’s Melanesian community.
Kaiviti and Vanua are terms in Fijian language related to the ways we connect, identify and ground ourselves as Fijians. Kaiviti refers to someone from Fiji, and Vanua is defined as “interconnectedness inclusive of culture, chiefs, knowledge systems, relationships, values, land and spiritualities” (Fijian Vanua Research Framework).
This print series uses digital collage to create compositions that draw on popular imagery of Fijian identity, beliefs and spirituality, totems and cultural value systems. Sourced from the artist’s own photographic archives and the Internet, they stand as exuberant declarations and ownership of the complex world of Fiji and Fijians.
Epson Ultrachrome K3 archival inks on acid-free 210gsm Epson Enhanced Matte
2023 | 297x420mm (A3 size)
Vasemaca (FKA Ema) Tavola is a Fijian-Pākehā artist-curator currently based in South Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Tavola’s practice is aligned with the politics of decolonisation and indigenous feminisms, motherhood, and histories of BIPOC art and activism in the Global South. She established her painting practice in Suva, Fiji before relocating to South Auckland where she studied sculpture and arts management, and is currently undertaking postgraduate research in applied indigenous knowledge.
Since 2004, Tavola has produced curatorial projects for galleries and museums throughout Aotearoa and travelled extensively speaking on her approach to indigenous curatorial practice. In 2019, she established Vunilagi Vou, a shapeshifting gallery, creative studio and consultancy advocating for creative practice as a tool for connection, healing and decolonisation.
As a visual artist, Tavola has been exhibiting since 2000 showing in Fiji, Aotearoa, Europe, North America, Australia and the Pacific. She has work in public and private collections both nationally and internationally.
Born in Suva, Tavola is proud to belong to Mataqali Navusalevu, a sub-tribe of Natusara, from the village of Dravuni, the northernmost inhabited island of the province of Kadavu, Fiji.
For more information, see https://vasemacatavola.com/about/
