Right place, right time

For Marilyn Kohlhase art has always been a way to connect with her roots. That's why she had no hesitation in accepting an invitation five years ago from the "grand elder" of Pacific artists, Fatu Feu'u, to help set up the world's only contemporary Pan Pacific art gallery, okaioceanikart.
The co-director and curator for their latest show, Haere Mai i Okai, says it's her love of reflecting diverse voices and mixed heritage that guided her choice of the show's five artists: Dagmar Dyck (painter-printmaker of German-Tongan descent), Reuben Friend (Maori-Pakeha producing strong contemporary works), Mason Lee (Chinese-Fijian who works on large canvases), Leua Latai Leonard (Samoan with self-portrait photographs) and Nestor Opetaia (Samoan producing music-inspired pastel abstracts). Feu'u  is also showing several canvases.
This show looks back into the past and at what's in store for the future.
Kohlhase, of Glen Innes, is a former Creative NZ arts board member with a reputation for supporting pioneering Pacifica artists. She recalls her mother almost dragging her back to university in Auckland when she went to Samoa on a holiday as a youngster. "I just felt so comfortable, I didn't want to come back. Luckily, I've always been in the right place at the right time to do the things I believe in."
Running okaioceanikart gallery is a crusade. "I'm optimistic Pacific artists can make a living from their art and I'm happy to help provide them the opportunity through our gallery."
Haere Mai I Okai, at okaioceanikart @ Reef gallery, 69 Beach Rd, CBD, until Aug 20. Free entry. Contact: ph 379 9051 or see www.okaioceanikart.com