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.

Photo of Konousi Aisake

Konousi Aisake is a wood carver and stained glass artist who lives in Vancouver B.C.

To view examples of his work, click here


Photo of Vilsoni Hereniko

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.


Photo of Rejieli Paulo

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.


Photo of Sofia Tekela-Smith

Sofia Tekela-Smith is an accomplished artist and maker of jewellery & art objects, who makes her home in Grey Lynn, Auckland, New Zealand.


Photo of Tonu Shane Eagleton

Tonu Shane Eagleton is a world-reknowned ecological woodcarver and educator. He is the son of Kelera Sitiveni, whose family roots are in Motusa.

 


 

David Eggleton is also the son of Kelera Sitiveni. He is a prominent New Zealand author, poet, and literary reviewer.

 


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.


Sopapelu

Sopapelu 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.


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


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 Saverio
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.

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.




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

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.


G-5
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


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.

 


Micah

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

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.