Artists walk Straight Path together

SHOWCASE:New Zealand artist Dame Robin White (right) has collaborated with Tongan artist Ruha Fifita over several years to create a monumental installation of painted tapa. PHOTOS/LYNDA FERINGA

CELEBRATED New Zealand artist Dame Robin White's monumental installation of painted tapa is the newest exhibition at Aratoi.

Dame Robin worked alongside Tongan artist Ruha Fifita and members of the Tongan community to produce the works in the collection called Ko e Hala Hangatonu: The Straight Path.

"I was looking for an opportunity to learn how the art of tapa is done in Tonga," Dame Robin said.

"So it was fantastic meeting Ruha. She was this young, brilliant, energetic young lady. Collaboration is liberation. It liberates one from the confines of self. It broadens the horizons of possibilities.

"So Ruha's contribution has been so important. You cannot make works like this without working with others.

"It's not something you do alone. It utterly relies on relationships.

The two artists met at a Baha'i Summer School and crossed paths again while staying with a mutual friend.

"It's the stars aligning, I guess," Miss Fifita said.

"I think for us both, when you look at these works you remember all of the relationships that have been built and all of the hands and friendships that have been so essential to making this."

Countless members of the Tongan community helped bring the works together, "from the people who harvest the plant to make the tapa, to the people who collect the earth pigments".

"What was really important, I think, for us both was to honour the process of the work," Miss Fifita said. "In making the work we were collaborating with other emerging young artists in Tonga, learning together.

"So it's been really nice to see everyone take something that has allowed them to grow in their own right as artists, and see them engage with art in this ancient form."

She said that as a young artist people often question her on why she is so interested in ancient or cultural art styles.

"For me, it's not just about this pride of being Tongan, it's the fact that these ancient styles have lasted for a reason.

"They've lasted because the values that they promote and the values they allow to live on are essential to progress, both spiritual and material."

A 25-metre long tapa called The Avenue is the key piece in the Ko e Hala Hangatonu collection.

Dame Robin said it was a significant artistic expression of Baha'i beliefs and was inspired by Ben Gurion Avenue in Haifa, which is the location of the Baha'i World Centre.

"Ben Gurion Avenue leads in a straight line from the shores of the Mediterranean to the foot of Mt Carmel, a sacred mountain to Christians, Jews, Muslims and also to Baha'is," Dame Robin said.

"And when Ben Gurion Avenue finishes, the path continues in a straight line to the mountain summit, with terraced gardens all the way up."

Dame Robin said it was a privilege and pleasure to see the work exhibited at Aratoi.

"Aratoi is a fantastic space and I want people to come in and have an experience."