Au Mei Moana – Returning Tides: The Tonga Cultural Heritage Exhibition, July 27 – August 1, 2010

Au Mei Moana – Returning Tides: The Tonga Cultural Heritage Exhibition
July 27 – August 1, 2010
Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga

The Tongan Ministry of Education, Women’s Affairs, & Culture in conjunction with The Tonga Traditions Committee presents Au Mei Moana – Returning Tides: The Tonga Cultural Heritage Exhibition. Hosted at the Fa’onelua Convention Centre in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, from July 27 – August 1, 2010.

The Ministry and the Traditions Committee seek to help the public understand Tongan cultural experiences and in this instance are using objects and ideas to interpret the past, document the present, and explore the future of the Kingdom of Tonga. The goal is to strengthen ties between the local and overseas Tongan communities by presenting artistic examples of quality, diversity and spirit from our society for locals and visitors of all ages.

This exhibition will be a point of contact between the public, artists and museums. The stories shared through this exhibition and performances will highlight who we are as individuals within a local, national and global Tongan community.

Tongan artists are invited to submit artwork for consideration in the exhibition. The theme of the exhibition is ‘Au Mei Moana – Returning Tides’ seeking to forge between the island and the diaspora. It is a celebration of Tongan culture by Tongan artists through contemporary media including the visual arts, dance, and music.

Deadline for submission is April 30, 2010
Please contact the following people for more information or to submit works:

Tonga:
Hon.Tu’ilokamana Tuita
Head of Culture, Ministry of Education Government of the Kingdom of Tonga Email: tuilokamanat@gmail.com
Tel: +676 21 588
Lord Vaea
Deputy Secretary, Palace Office, Government of the Kingdom of Tonga Email: albertvaea@hotmail.com
Tel: +676 25063/26 644

New Zealand:
Christina Jeffery Artist Liaison Officer Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust Email: manager@tautai.org
Tel: +649 3761665
Hilary Scothorn
Exhibition Advisor
Email: HilaryLS@aol.com
Tel: +649 5255964
Filipe Tohi
Exhibition Co-ordinator Email: FOTHLS@aol.com Tel: +649 5255964

Australia/USA/Hawaii/Fiji & Other
Loketi Niua Latu
Exhibition Curator and Events Director
Email: loketi@hotmail.com
Tel: +614 12105965

Tonga Cultural Heritage Exhibition Entry Guidelines:

Application deadline: April 30, 2010.
Work can be of any media but must be original and created within the last 3 years. You may submit up to 5 examples for consideration.

The committee based on the quality and professional presentation of their works chooses artists.
The exhibition is open to all Tongan artists working in the Islands and overseas.
The exhibition committee reserves the right to limit entries because of size and space limitations.
It is not necessary to frame your artwork, but please keep in mind that unframed work on paper could be damaged by installation (SEE BELOW)

Application submissions can be emailed to Christina Jeffery or Loketi Niua Latu (SEE EMAILS ABOVE)
Submissions should be made by email, including a CV, statement and digital images, once accepted, Artists must supply with their submission, an annotated list of each work including, title and an explanatory statement.

Ministry of Education Women’s Affairs, & Culture P O Box 61 Nuku’alofa TONGA Tel: +676 23 903 Fax: +676 23 866

Each artist must prepare his or her work prior to the installation.
The exhibition committee will provide shipping, insurance and 24-hour security for the duration of the exhibition in the Fa’onelua Convention Centre, Tonga.

NB: WHILE ITEMS ARE INSURED AGAINST MAJOR DAMAGE NOTE THAT ARTWORKS MUST BE STABLE, ROBUST AND DURABLE FOR OVERSEAS DISPLAY. FOR EXAMPLE, MOUNTING OR PUBLIC TOUCHING MIGHT DAMAGE UNFRAMED WORK. ARTISTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESENTING PACKAGED WORKS FOR SHIPPING AT DESIGNATED LOCATION BY JUNE 14, 2010. ANY ARTWORK NOT SUBMITTED ON OR PRIOR TO THAT DATE WILL NOT BE INCLUDED.