The Mis-Education of Moana Arts: Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai
“There is a Moana belief that we walk forward into the past and backwards into the future, both of which are constantly mediated in the changing present, where the past is put in front as a guiding principle and the future, situated behind, is brought to bear on past experiences.”
Drawing on this belief spearheaded firstly by the late Professor ‘Epeli Hau’ofa and Hūfanga Professor ‘Okusitino Māhina, this paper will discuss and critique what I believe has been the mis-education of Moana arts. I will draw specifically on my experience of working as one of three Associate Curators for Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki‘s Home AKL: Artists of Pacific Heritage in Auckland exhibition (7 July – 22 October 2012), and as a member of the Pacific Arts Committee (2011 – 2014) for Creative New Zealand, New Zealand’s national arts development agency. The Tongan worldview and perspective on arts will offer an alternative view and an example of the importance of emphasising Moana worldviews and perspectives when talking, researching or writing about our arts, which in turn empowers us as Moana peoples.