Using ngatu (traditional Tongan barkcloth) Kulimoe'anga delivers a response to the social and political climate of contemporary Tonga, and explores themes of power, rank, status and religion which are deeply embedded in Tongan society. Kulimoe'anga was a finalist in the Martin Hughes Contemporary Pacific Art Awards in 2007.
Biography
Kulimoe'anga was born in Patangata, Tongatapu and migrated to New Zealand in 1997.
Kulimoe'anga has retained strong links to his homeland and has many mural in Tonga which can be found at the Talamahau Market, Kahana Lagoon Resort, Queen Salote Hall and the Free Church of Tonga in the outer island of Ha'apai.
Kulimoe'anga has a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Manukau School of Visual Arts and is currently based in Christchurch. Kuli'moeanga has been exhibiting throughout New Zealand, Tonga and Hawaii.
Curriculum Vitae
Solo Exhibitions 2008 Ngatu tu ‘uli/The Past is Now, CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art) Gallery, Christchurch 2007 Our City O-Tautahi, Papata pe ka na’e Lalanga (It may be coarse in texture, but it was woven), Vitu Pacific Festival, Christchurch 2004
Talamahu Market, Nuku’alofa, Tonga 2003
Te Taumata Art Gallery, Grafton, Central Auckland
Art by the Sea Gallery, Devonport, Auckland 2002
Uxbridge Art Gallery, Howick, Auckland 2001
Carlton Hotel Ballroom, Newton, Auckland 1998-2003
Auckland Pasifika Festival, Western Springs, Auckland 1997
Art of this World Gallery, Devonport, Auckland
Manukau City Council Art Gallery, Manukau, Auckland
Education 2002-2004
Bachelor of Visual Art, Manukau Institute of Technology, School of Visual Arts, Auckland 1998-2001
Certificate of Art and Design, Whitecliffe College of Art & Design, Auckland
Awards 2009
Artist in Residence, Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, Canterbury University, Christchurch 2008
Margaret Stoddart Award 2007
Finalist, Martin Hughes Art Award 2003
To’utupu Tonga Trust Annual Art Excellence Award 1997
South Pacific Environment Arts Award: Designed Tongan poster on preserving Tonga’s coral reef 1996
Designed the Tongan Trade Logo
Commissions 2006
Painting for The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, Christchurch
Paintings for John Peters, Christchurch 2005
Painting for Michelle and Grant Russell, Christchurch
Paintings for D2 Digital Studio, Albany, Auckland 2004
Stone Sculpture for Methodist church, Maui, Hawai‘i, USA
Mural for Otara Music and Art Centre, Otara, Auckland 1999
Painting for Jack Cooper, Cooper Watkinson Textiles, Auckland 1998
Frame for Auckland City Council, Bledisloe House, Auckland 1996
Mural for Free Church of Tonga, Ha’apai, Tonga
Mural for Talamahu Market, Nuku’alofa, Tonga 1995
Mural for Queen Salote Hall for the Miss South Pacific Pageant, Tonga 1991
Mural for Talamahu Market, Nuku’alofa, Tonga 1990
Mural for Kahana Lagoon Resort, Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Public Presentations 2008
Margaret Stoddart Birthday Celebration, Stoddart Cottage, Diamond Harbour, Christchurch
Tagata Pasifika Interview at 10th Festival of the Pacific Arts, Pago Pago, American Samoa
TV3 Pacific Beat Street Interview
Niu FM Radio Interview 2007
New Brighton Catholic School, Christchurch
Niu FM Radio Interview
Liahona High School Art Students, Tonga 2006
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Youth, Christchurch 2005
Brigham Young University Art Department, Laie, Hawai‘i, USA 2004
Tongan Community, Maui, Hawai‘i, USA 2003
Tongan Community, Mangere, Auckland 2000
BEST Training Students, Avondale, Auckland
Liahona High School Art Students, Tonga 1999
531 PI Radio Interview 1998
Kelston Boys High School students, Auckland
Tagata Pasifika Interview
Group Exhibitions 2008 Our City O-Tautahi, Bite Me, Christchurch Preview Exhibition, CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art) Gallery, Christchurch Preview Exhibition, Temple Gallery, Dunedin 10th Festival of the Pacific Arts, Pago Pago Museum, Pago Pago, American Samoa
Williams Gallery, Petone, Wellington
O’kaioceanikart Gallery, Auckland Margaret Stoddart Award Exhibition, CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art) Gallery, Christchurch 2007 2 x 8, CoCA Gallery, Christchurch
Martin Hughes Contemporary Pacific Art Exhibition, Auckland Maka Tu’u Taha, Fresh Gallery, Otara, Auckland Our City O-Tautahi, featuring Filipe Tohi, Vitu Pacific Festival, Christchurch
O’kaioceanikart Gallery, Auckland
Williams Gallery, Petone, Wellington
Portsifika Gallery, Port Chalmers, Dunedin 2006
Pacific Artists’ Exhibition, Williams Gallery, Petone, Wellington
Portsifika Gallery, Port Chalmers, Dunedin 2005 O le Ala i le Pule o le Tautua, Ono Pacific Festival, Pacific Gallery, New Brighton, Christchurch Jubilee Celebration Art Exhibition, Brigham Young University, Laie, Hawaii, USA 2003
Auckland Easter Show Exhibition, Greenlane, Auckland Pasifikaha Students, Art Net Gallery, Otara, Auckland Manukau Vessel and Sculpture Exhibition, Guest Artist, Nathan Homestead Art Centre, Manurewa, Auckland Pasifikaha Students, Te Tuhi, The Mark, Pakuranga, Auckland
Featuring Fatu Feu’u, Selwyn Muru, Albert Wendt, Maota Gallery, Auckland
Tongan Youth Trust, Onehunga Community Library, Onehunga, Auckland Niu Mui,Tongan Emerging Artists, Lakeside Convention Centre, Mangere, Auckland
2002 Pasifikaha Students, Lopdell House Art Gallery, Titirangi, Auckland
Tautai Trust Artists, Aotea Centre Gallery, Auckland 2001
Featuring Richard Cooper, Aotea Centre Gallery, Auckland
Featuring Fatu Feu’u, Jonny Penisula, Sylvia Masters, Morgan Street Art Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland Summer Hanging, Chiaroscuro Gallery, Auckland 2000 Summer Hanging, Chiaroscuro Gallery, Auckland
Tautai Trust Contemporary Artists, Artstation Gallery, Ponsonby, Auckland
Emerging Artists, Aotea Centre Gallery, Auckland
Featuring Fatu Feu’u, Ian George, Henry Wilson,
Sylvia Masters, Morgan Street Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland 1999
Tautai Trust Contemporary Artists, Morgan Street Art Gallery, Newmarket, Auckland
Whitecliffe School Auctions, Greenlane, Auckland Pacific Artists, Pacific Contemporary Art Gallery, Otahuhu, Auckland Emerging Artists, Artstation Gallery, Ponsonby, Central Auckland 1988-1991
Tongan Agricultural Show, Tonga College ‘Atele, Tonga
Upcoming Exhibitions 11 June - 30 June 2009
Solo Exhibition at CoCA (Centre of Contemporary Art) Gallery, Christchurch 27 July - 5 August 2009 Au Mei Moana: Tongan Heritage, Group Exhibition, Tonga 15 August - 3 September Faka'ahu - Contemporary Fumage, Solo Exhibition, Mcarthy Art Gallery, Parnell
Gallery Representation
CoCA Gallery, Central Christchurch
Williams Gallery, Petone, Wellington
O’kaioceanikart Gallery, Central Auckland
Portsifika Gallery, Port Chalmers, Dunedin
