Representing Aotearoa New Zealand at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts (FestPAC) in Hawai’i will be a life highlight for artist Moses Viliamu (pictured).
With roots in Tokelau and Samoa, Moses calls Porirua home.
It is there where his inspiration was evoked and he became a respected practitioner in the creative space.
He is one of 85 Pacific and Māori artists and performers from Aotearoa, selected to attend FestPAC, in Honolulu, from 6-16 June, 2024.
New Zealand is one of 28 Pacific nations participating at FestPAC - the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific peoples, launched in 1972 to halt the erosion of traditional practices through ongoing cultural exchange.
This year’s theme, Ho‘oulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania, honours the traditions FestPAC perpetuates, with an eye toward the future.
“Obviously, it’s very exciting to represent New Zealand and meet other artists from the Pacific – it is always great to share and learn from each other,” Moses says.
The current Whitireia New Zealand Pacific Artist in Residence adds it will be life highlight.
As the third youngest of nine siblings, Moses’ parents moved to Porirua in the early 1960s, at a time where Pacific communities were new to the nation.
Born and raised in Cannons Creek, Moses nurtured a passion for his community, who he watched persevere despite facing adversity.
He says he was stirred to help his community, inspired by Pacific peoples’ resilience and ability to adapt and overcome even the most insurmountable odds.
Moses uses this to fuel his artwork expressed in paintings, murals, illustrations, graphic designs, to exemplify a spirit of abundance.
At FestPAC, Moses will be sharing a visual installation of blackbirding, specifically from a Tokelau perspective.
Blackbirding is the coercion of people through deception or kidnapping to work as slaves or poorly paid labourers in countries distant from their homeland.
The practice took place on a large scale during the 19th and 20th centuries, with the enslavement of South Pacific peoples, and transporting them to work on the cotton and sugar plantations in Queensland.
“I am really excited to share our perspective, and to learn about other islands and their stories about blackbirding,” Moses says.
“As a proud member of team New Zealand, I look forward to working together to represent our country in the best way possible through many of the different art forms be it Māori or Pacific.
“I hope to gather more stories and information about blackbirding from across the Pacific, and to learn, share, be inspired and to affirm my cultural heritage.”
Besides preparing for FestPAC, Moses is currently working on inspirational murals, scattered throughout his Porirua community, and he is also working on a children’s book.
New Zealand’s participation at FestPAC aligns with its commitment to address critical issues, safeguard endangered art forms, promote career growth for artists, strengthen partnerships, address climate change, and amplify youth voices.
The Aotearoa delegation will be managed by Creative New Zealand/Toi Aotearoa, and promises to showcase the artistic heritage of Aotearoa and the Pacific on a global stage.
New Zealand has been represented at each of the four-yearly festivals since the inaugural event in 1972 and hosted in 1976.
This year's FestPAC is the first one to be held since 2016, when it was hosted by Guam.
Creative New Zealand supports the delegation with travel and living costs while in Hawai’i and provides some project funding.
Visit the Creative New Zealand website to find out more information about the delegation and the FestPAC website for more information on the festival.