Contemporary Māori and Pacific artists exploring place

This article explores the notion of ‘place’, extending its scope to include the ocean, history and diaspora, in relation to six contemporary Māori and Pacific artists who were involved in the Pacifique(S) Contemporain exhibitions in Normandy, France in 2015. Structured into three sections, it addresses the three curatorial thematics that provided the overarching frame for the exhibitions. ‘The ocean is a place’ focuses on Angela Tiatia and Rachael Rakena, and acknowledges the importance of Epeli Hau’ofa’s writing in relation to the ocean and Oceania as a crucial marker of identity both within its geographic location and beyond. ‘History is a place’ considers moving image installations by Michel Tuffery and Greg Semu, in particular referencing how they rework and reimagine colonial and art historical representations and conventions. ‘Diaspora is a place’ compares the photographic practices of Ane Tonga and Edith Amituanai, whose work reflects on and captures the dynamics that emerge as Pacific communities draw on and adapt cultural traditions, and negotiate relationships mediated by their migration and diaspora experiences.