04Dec

11Feb

Kohikohi | Kalisolaite ‘Uhila

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila

Kohikohi

Opening: 1 December 2016 @ 6pm
Exhibition dates: 2 December 2016 – 11 February 2017

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Kohikohi is a solo exhibition by Kalisolaite ‘Uhila. The exhibition features a range of media – including video, painting and sound. The title Kohikohi means to make a mark, a scratch, a scrawl or a scribble.

As a performance artist, ‘Uhila’s work is informed by his memories and experiences of daily Tongan rituals, the repetitive actions and his observation that everyone performs often without knowing it. As part of his performances he uses simple objects that relate to his daily life. He is interested in action and in this exhibition he focuses on everyday activities, clearing the land with his tools, taufale (broom), helepelu (machete) and huo (spade), he takes the movements from using these tools as the inspiration for making marks for ink drawings and paintings.

There will be a performance by Kalisolaite ‘Uhila on the opening night.

Public Programme: Artist talk
In Conversation with Kalisolaite ‘Uhila and Robert George
Saturday 10 December, 12pm

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Born in Tonga and raised in New Zealand, Kalisolaite ‘Uhila is a renowned performance artist. He has received a number of awards – the visual arts award at Auckland Fringe 2011, Iris Fisher Scholarship from Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts, he was selected and nominated for the biennial Auckland Art Gallery Walters Prize 2014 and was awarded the Pasifika Post Graduate Scholarship (Art and Design) towards a Master of Performance and Media Arts and Auckland University of Technology.

‘Uhila has exhibited widely both nationally and internationally. Selected exhibitions include – Mo’ui tukuhausia, Walters Prize Finalists Exhibition, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, Auckland, 2014; Tonga Democracy Festival, Atenisi University, Tonga, 2014; Puehu: Cultural Dust, The Suter Arts Gallery, Nelson; More than we know, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland, 2013; What do you mean we?, Te Tuhi Centre for the Artst, 2012. ‘Uhila graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Auckland University of Technology (AUT, Auckland in 2010.