Peaceful relocation for Gallery

22 June, 2005

Peaceful relocation for Gallery

Gallery Pasifika, now relocated on Seaview Rd in New Brighton, proudly re-opens it's doors on Saturday 9 July, at 9:30am close to the idyllic setting that beckons many of New Zealand and the Pacific - the sea.

"Pacific people are people of the sea. The sea is the central focus in the village.not just for their livelihood too, but Pacific people are voyagers" says gallery owner Api Pulemau whose hunt for the ideal location halted when the Seaview Rd space boasted it's walking distance to the sea and the New Brighton Pier.

Christchurch-born Samoan, Api Pulemau closed down the city location in late October 2004 to look for somewhere more suitable, away from the concrete confinement of it's previous space. The change in location will not change its focus as Pulemau and Gallery Pasifika aim to create a pacific 'hub'- where, under one roof, one may find Pacific art, books, music, gifts and crafts, assist in the raising of literacy levels through it's selection of Pasifika education books, and give cultural seminars for schools.

Pulemau's three-year mission to make a success of Gallery Pasifika has included, the exhibiting of local emerging artists - such as Felolini Maria Ifopo and Raphael Stowers who were featured at Lima-Pacific Arts Festival this year. Also, the establishment of vital trade links with businesses in the Pacific, in order to provide resources such as Tapa (bark cloth) and authentic Hawai'ian Leis, that were previously unavailable to Pacific communities in the South Island. The trade links are beneficial to both communities, of the Pacific and of Christchurch.

"For many years the Pacific communities in the South Island have had limited or no access to resources, mainly due to our distance from Auckland or Wellington, which is where most of these resources are accessed." says Pulemau, "Being located in the centre of the South Island, people can travel from Nelson, Dunedin or Invercargill to Christchurch to access resources that have come directly from the islands, and who better to promote pacific art and culture than Pacific people." says Pulemau.

The work of established pacific artist Vanya Taule'alo and emerging Samoan artist Mark Fa'avae will be exhibited at Gallery Pasifika when it's doors are open.

ENDS

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