MANUIA  Art

Malo ni

My name is Jack Fati Kirifi. My parents are the late Taumafai Kirifi and Feiloaiga Fuli-Kirifi. My parents migrated to New Zealand in the 1960’s from the atoll of Fakaofo, Tokelau.   I am also affiliated to the islands of Nanumea -Tuvalu and Tongareva - Cook Islands.

Born and bred in Porirua-New Zealand , I was fortunate to grow up within tight-knit extended families of which Christian faith, culture and community have shaped the person I am.

I am a contemporary visual artist based in Porirua and have been involved in various art and community projects.  A highlight of recent art project I was part of was with local Porirua artist the late Zac Mateo, Mose Viliamu and myself (Tokelau Arts Collective). Tokelau Arts Collective was selected by Creative NZ to be part of the NZ contingent of Artists to attend the South Pacific Arts Festival in Hawaii 2020 (FestPac2020). Our art project was an art installation titled “Cry of the Stolen People” The Peruvian slave trade in Tokelau 1860’s. Cry of the Stolen People was a visual installation of the impact the Peruvian slave trade of the 1860’s had on the generation who survived, the loss of art and cultural practices such as tatau (tattoo).

Part and parcel of this project was to bring awareness of this part of our history for our younger generation of NZ born Tokelauans and our wider community. Unfortunately, FestPac2020 was cancelled due to covid19 travel restrictions however we were able to share and present our art installation locally with our Tokelau and wider community in April 2021.

In 2024 our Tokelau Arts collective has been re-selected to be part of the Creative NZ arts delegation to attend the festival of Pacific Arts in Hawaii in June 2024. We are grateful for this opportunity to share our project ‘Cry of the Stolen People’ in an international platform

I am a currently completing my masters thesis practicum at Massey University.  My research focus is Tokelau ta tatau (Tattoo): a reconnection to cultural identity. I have a passion for Pacific /Tokelau contemporary art and studying has enabled me to continue to research to inform my art practice as well as contribute back to my community.

My family and community are very important to me and I’m grateful to have been nutured within strong cultural values. As NZ born Tokelauan these values resonate in how I apply myself within my family, community, work, and art practice.

Manuia

Jack