MOANA3

This is the third showcase of artists from the Pacific Ocean region I’ve brought together to present a dynamic showcase of contemporary Pacific art. With vibrant colours, bold forms, and a strong nod to their respective cultures, these works offer us a glimpse into current Moana / Pacific art practices, alongside a shared oceanic heritage. From the rhythmic patterns of traditional motifs to fresh interpretations of mythological figures, this exhibition breathes new life into ancient stories.

Central to these cultures is their remarkable seafaring history. The people of the Moana region – long recognised as brilliant navigators – traversed vast oceanic expanses using only the stars, winds, and currents for guidance. This sense of awe-inspiring exploration is firmly embedded in the exhibited works: all of which resonate with a spirit of curiosity and adventure that still continues to shape Pacific identity today.

I’m very honoured to show senior artist Dagmar Dyck in Scotland for the very first time. Dagmar is a first-generation New Zealander of Tongan, German, Dutch and Polish ancestry. She is an interdisciplinary artist, trained primary school art educator, and social justice advocate. Her navigation in and around different worldviews is at the heart of her identity, arts, and teaching practice. Dagmar’s artistic career spans 30 years of regularly exhibiting nationally and internationally, with her works held in both significant public and private collections in New Zealand. Her current research seeks to re-position the critical role the arts can play in addressing persistent disparities in educational outcomes for Pacific learners. Her work brings this joyful spirit into the gallery space – filling it with tenacity and colour.

Ercan Cairns - the youngest artist on show – is rapidly creating a name for himself in Aotearoa, and this is one of his earlier vibrant works from 2020. He’s joined by Sean Hill, whose terrific assemblage works fuse traditional pattern making with industrial wood off-cuts. Sefton Rani (who has a solo in the gallery later this year) offers us another tough, uncompromising work made from thick paint skins, while senior artist Andy Leleisi’uao painting brings a brilliant ray of sunshine into the space with his small painting ‘On Friendship’.

Beyond celebrating their ancestry and heritage, the artists also shine a light on resilience and cultural displacement – Most of the artists were brought by their parents to New Zealand as kids; seeking out work, and ultimately a better life for their whanau. This sense of diaspora, of never quiet ‘fitting in’ can be felt in some of these works. Each artwork asserts a deep connection to memories of both place and community. Issues of sustainability, social change, and cultural reclamation also emerge tying centuries of heritage to pressing contemporary concerns.

Yet, despite these weighty ideas, the show brims with energy, power and optimism. The work has stature, as well as soul. In this way, each work serves as a testament to the Pacific’s ever-evolving story, bridging tradition with innovative new insights and perspectives.

Ultimately, this exhibition is a call to journey alongside these artists as they chart new courses for Moana/Pacific art. By honouring the past while forging a path toward the future, they remind us of the region’s enduring legacy of hope, creativity, and discovery.

All of these artists (and a few special surprises) will feature work in the upcoming MOANA4 show in July this year.

Scott Lawrie
May 2025