Be inspired, challenged and engaged through a unique public program of Pasifika-focused TALANOA (discussions) and YALOYALO (films) held for the duration of Marama Dina. Join us as we explore identity, tattooing, climate change and more.

All events are free, however bookings are essential.
Book online or call Front of House 02 4645 4100

TALANOA

2 BROWNISH GIRLS LIVE PODCAST
Saturday 31 August, 11am – 1pm
Location: Vale ni soqo (located in the gallery)

2 Brownish Girls is Western Sydney’s newest true-to-life podcast hosted by Cribbs & Talica, two Pacific-Australians raised in Western Sydney (Cribbs with Samoan heritage, Talica with Fijian). Their podcast series gives voice to life as Pacific Islander kids raised in Australia with laughter, tears and a ton-load of music references (BTS especially). Also, they swear, like your Aunty does when no-one’s listening, so now you know.

Join 2 Brownish Girls in the vale ni soqo for their take on a ‘Ted Talk’ of the Pacific, “On Not Being (Insert Ethnicity) Enough” – The Pasifika Diaspora in Australia. When you’re a Pacific Islander raised in Australia, your Aussie accent can single you out from your cousins back ‘home’ and in the home too. It’s all good, you’re not alone.

 

PACIFIC CLIMATE WARRIORS
With Joseph Zane Sikulu
Saturday 14 September, 11am – 1pm
Location: Vale ni soqo (located in the gallery)

As we’re building up to the largest global demonstration ever on Climate Change our warriors will dive into a conversation about the women who inspire our movement and the mats that carry our culture. Both are the foundation of our identity and are the force, the strong wind, the Matagi Malohi that is blowing and carrying our people forward in this Climate Crisis.

Matagi Malohi is the name of our September mobilisation and the biggest visual element to that will be mats, masi and tapa. We want to ensure that in these big marches that are happening we be carrying our people and our stories and our islands. All of those are in our mats.

Pacific Climate Warriors is a network of young Pacific people taking a unique approach to climate change: empowering young people to understand the issues and take action on protecting and enriching our islands, cultures, and oceans.

 

 

 

READING OCEANIA
With Seini Taumoepeau
Saturday 21 September, 11am – 1pm
Location: Vale ni soqo (located in the gallery)

Reading Oceania brings people together for the reading of a text inspired by Pacific/Oceanic cosmology followed by facilitated discussions activated by the reading. You can join us in the vale ni soqo from anywhere in the Pacific region using online technology so invite your friends and family to join the talanoa. This will be livestreamed on the Campbelltown Arts Centre Facebook page. Tune in.

YALOYALO

A rich film program including shorts and documentaries curated by The Veiqia Project and presented in partnership with Pasifika Film Festival.

TEP TOK: READING BETWEEN OUR LINES
Saturday 21 September, 2pm
Screening in the vale ni soqo (located in the gallery)

Director: Julia Mage’au Gray
Australia | 2015 | 59 mins
Language: English with subtitles

Our Grandmothers were full body tattooed. The marks on their skin were a visual reminder to others of their importance in the balance of traditional life in Papua New Guinea. Today our Mother’s carry no marks on their skin. The art of tattooing has travelled the world over and while its popularity has continued strongly into contemporary culture today, the awareness of the traditional practices of tattooing in Central Province,Papua New Guinea is dwindling.

MARKS OF MANA
Saturday 28 September, 11am
Screening in the Performance Studio followed by a talanoa in the vale ni soqo

Director: Lisa Taouma
Western Samoa, New Zealand | 2018 | 56 mins
Language: English with subtitles

Of all of the art of the skin in Te Moana Nui a Kiwa (the Pacific Ocean), the markings for women have been given the least attention. Yet Tatau Fafine is imbued with mana and meanings which reach back through time to the very origins of Pacific tatau history.

The film looks at a number of women who are now reclaiming the art of tatau for themselves, as well as for the memories of their ancestors. The result is a celebration of the wave of female tatau artists that is now turning the tides of the male-dominated culture of Pacific tattooing.

From the two tatau goddesses who brought the art to Samoa to the practice of marking women in Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Aotearoa, Lisa Taouma’s film explores these ancient symbols, their meanings and their relevance for today’s Polynesian women.

Marks of Manawon Best NZ Cinematography, and received a Special Mention in the NZ Feature category, at the Doc Edge Awards 2019.

BOY STRIKES BACK
Thursday 10 October, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm sessions
Screenings in the vale ni soqo (located in the gallery)

Director: Genesis Selina Ma’u
Australia | 2016 | 5 mins
Language: English with subtitles

Roni arrives home with his older sister Lola. As he begins to play and build a Lego robot his sister smashes it out of his hands, ruining his work.

SCAREDY PANTZ
Thursday 10 October, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm & 3pm sessions
Screenings in the vale ni soqo (located in the gallery)

Director: Donita Vatuinaruku Hulme
Australia | 2018 | 5 mins

Tavales will be tavales, right? But if you spend too much time being a smarty pants it could bite you in the scaredy pants luvequ.

VAI
Saturday 12 October, 2pm
Screening in the Performance Studio followed by a talanoa in the vale ni soqo (located in the gallery)

Directors: Becs Arahanga, Nicole Whippy, Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likilki, Matasila Freshwater, Amberley Jo Aumua, Mīria George, Marina Alofagia McCartney, Dianna FuemanaNew Zealand | 2019 | 90 minutes
Language: In Fijian, Tongan, Roviana (Solomon Islands), Samoan, Cook Islands Maori, Niuean, English and Maori (NZ) with English subtitles.

A beautifully crafted feature film made by nine female Pacific filmmakers, shot in seven different Pacific countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kuki Airani (Cook Islands), Samoa, Niue and Aotearoa (New Zealand). It is about the journey of Vai, played by a different Indigenous female actor in each of the Pacific countries. In each of these Pacific nations ‘vai’ means water.