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Contemporary Rotuman Artists
This section of the Rotuma website is dedicated to contemporary
Rotuman artists who have drawn on the cultural traditions of thier
home island to inspire their creations. If you qualify, or know of
someone who qualifies, please notify the webmaster at alanhoward@hawaii.rr.com. Our
goal is to provide a space where Rotuman artists can showcase their
art for a worldwide as well as a Rotuman audience.
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Konousi Aisake
is a wood carver and stained glass artist who lives in Vancouver
B.C.
To view examples of his work, click here
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Vilsoni
Hereniko , from Mea, Hapmak, is an author, playwright, and
filmmaker who lives in Honolulu, Hawai'i, where he is a
Professor at the Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of
Hawai'i.
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Rejieli Paulo is an opera singer
with a growing reputation in Australia. She has moved to London,
England, where she performed with the National Opera during the
2004-2005 Season.
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Sofia
Tekela-Smith is an accomplished artist and maker of jewellery
& art objects, who makes her home in Grey Lynn, Auckland, New
Zealand.
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Tonu Shane Eagleton is a
world-reknowned ecological woodcarver and educator. He is the son
of Kelera Sitiveni, whose family roots are in Motusa.
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David
Eggleton is also the son of Kelera Sitiveni. He is a prominent
New Zealand author, poet, and literary reviewer.
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Treena Rose is the
daughter of Barry & Seforsa Johnson (nee Foster) who reside in Sydney.
Seforsa is from Itu'ti'u and her parents are Jione and Emi Foster. Treena
is an up-and-coming star on the pop music scene, and has performed
in places like New York and Miami to rave reviews.
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Sorpapelu
Tipo Fatiaki was born in the village of Lopta,
the son of Rev. Irava Fatiaki and Maria Fatiaki. He was a dancer and choreographer
with the Oceania Dance
Theatre in Suva, and has moved to Nadi where he is starting his own dance
company.
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Aisea
Konrote is a fashion
designer in Fiji. Originally from Tuoi in Juju, Rotuma. His designs are
based on a consideration of environmental, cultural and traditional factors
that utilise natural resources. He stresses the importance of respectability
of cultures, traditions and the use of natural resources. He made his debut
during Fiji Fashion Week in December 2008. |
Hupfeld Hoerder is a designer is the Fiji
fashion industry. Hupfeld's mother is from Malhaha. He was production designer
and costumes and make up artist for The Land Has Eyes. Pacific
Quarterly presented him with The Small Business of the Year award for
2006. He was also named winner of the Handicraft Section and won the Young
Entrepreneur of the Year Award. |
Alfred Ralifo is a biology and chemistry teacher at Nadroga Navosa Provincial
High School in Nadroga. He won the top prize in the indigenous art category
at the 2007 Fiji National Arts Exhibition for his painting
fup akiag ne agero. He is the son of Sarote and Nofaga Ralifo of Noa'tau.
Suliana Makarita Saverio is a violinist and a member of the
quartet, the Davui Ensemble.
Suliana is a student at the
Fiji School of Medicine and the daughter of Kaurasi and Akata Saverio.
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Craig Marlow is a graphic
artist whose paintings are displayed in some of Fiji's top end resorts. He
is the son of Liebling Hoeflich, with grandparental roots in Noa'tau, and
Herb Marlow.
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Letila Mitchell
is founder of the Pacific Arts Alliance, Trustee and Current Secretary General.
She is also the Director of the Fiji Arts Council. She is a visual and performing
artists with 15 years experience performing and working in the Pacific, London,
New Zealand and Australia.
Letila is the daughter of Drs. Robin and Rosemary Mitchell.
Koni Fiu is
a musician from Losa, Itu'ti'u, who gave up his day job as an electrical
engineer to take up music full time in Fiji. In 2004, he wrote and composed
a gospel album released by the group Mighty Men, entitled God our Protector.
He recently wrote the lyrics for the mental health theme song titled "We
are gonna keep on walking alongside Gary Rounds."
Talei
Lange is a 19-year old artist and painter in year 12 at
Suva's International School [as of November 2008]. She displayed her work
at the school's annual art exhibition and her work was considered among
the best. Her mother is Agnes Kafoa, who hails from Motusa in Rotuma.
Her German father, Peter Lange, is a former ship captain. Talei
was born in Fiji but she has had a colourful life growing up
in Kiribati, Cyprus, Samoa and Germany.
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George
Managreve, known professionally as G-5, is a rap
hip-hop artist. His father is from Juju in Rotuma while his mother is part
Chinese/Fijian. He started experimenting with beats and lyrics with a few
friends while at Marist Brothers' High School, and writes his own music,
producing beats and rap. The G in his nickname stands for the first letter
of his name while 5 represents the five names; George, Kevin, Andrew, John,
Managreve, that make up his full name.
Inoke
Kalounisiga, known professionally as Knox,
is a standout in Fiji's amazing breed of talented young musicians. His
mother, Sela Fatiaki is part-Rotuman/Samoan from Motusa in Rotuma.
His father, Suliasi Tamanalevu, is from Naimasimasi Village
in Tailevu. Inoke finished high school at Rotuma High. After foundation
studies at the University of the South Pacific, he switched to the Fiji
Institute of Technology where he took up music and electronics.
Carlos Semisi designs Tee-shirts
that anyone can wear. He hails from Motusa in Itu'ti'i.
John Garisau is a sign artist whose mother is from Losa in Itu'ti'u.
Karay Kunou is fashion designer who began her career while still in seconday school.
Sonny Sofe is an artist in Fiji who bridges three cultural traditions:
Rotuman, Samoan, and Fijian. His father is Samoan and his mother is from
Rotuma. We was born in Fiji and raised in Samoa, but has been living in
Fiji since 2004. Noting that Rotuman artwork has waned over the decades
he has set his sights on reviving it.
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Micah Fursetafa is a self–taught artist of Rotuman heritage
who has been interested in pencil shading and drawing since the age of
ten. He began painting in 2006 at the Oceania Centre, USP, starting
off with ink painting. He later on painted using acrylics in 2008 and won
the Fiji Arts Council "Emerging Artist Award 2008" during the
National Fine Arts Exhibition.
Kepone Fiu is a former Dudley High School now basec in Sydney, Australia.
In 2007 he brought his group Cool
Runnings for a series of shows around Fiji. Cool Runnings was formed
in Sydney in 2003 and grew to become one of Australia's most sought after
reggae acts. In February 2010 the group released a single titled 'Just
Because' which is available on iTunes. Kepone's
roots are firmly entrenched in Tuakoi village, Itu'ti'u, and Charles
Street in Bagasau, Suva where the Rastaman spent his early years.
Jarrad
Wilson is a talented musician from Perth,
Australia. His first
album, Altruism, in a style
that reverberates sounds of the 80’s, is to be released in August
2010. Jarrad is the grandson of Emily Kautane List (nee Hoerder)
of Nelson, NZ, and the youngest son of Moira and Richard Wilson of Perth,
Australia.
John Mausio hails from Salvei and Noatau, the Island of Rotuma and is a self taught artist. His parents are Fakrautonga Mausio – Marenteu, Noa‘tau and Petero Mausio from the village of Savlei. He is registered with the Fiji Arts Council and is a member of the Rako Group. He aims to be a specialist in mural art.
His skills range from screen printing, graphic design, sign writing and community facilitation.
Jason Konrote is originally from Pepjei, Rotuma with maternal links to the Rounds. Jason says music has become a way for him to express his identity as a young Rotuman living in a multi-cultural society.
Harry Tivaknoa paints, designs clothes and earrings and hand bands, but he is also a song writer, poet and singer. All the songs are his own original compositions and sung in the Rotuman language.
Check out his album Afaga
Michael Mausio is a fashion designer in Fiji whose work reflects a strong interest in climate change.
The Eastern Brothers have been the resident band at The Ranch nightclub in Suva for several years. Initially formed as an all-Rotuman band in 2003, the Brothers have evolved both in terms of membership and sound—from the all-island feel to a more inclusive style that embraces everything popular.
Fumaru Fatiaki, from Oinafa creates beautifully crafted crowns for the Vodafone Miss Hibiscus winners. In addition to the crowns and tiaras, Fumaru designed the winning sash for all the categories. Fumaru hopes to continue designing wearable arts and would like to be involved in more charity work as well seeing that the gay community are accepted and respected.
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