Benjamin Work

BENJAMIN WORK Ha‘a Lātūhifo, Orkney, Ayr Benjamin Work is an artist, Tāmaki Makaurau-born and raised, with Tongan and Scottish heritage. Work’s evolution exemplifies the new trajectories of artists reared on American pop and sub-culture, while also explicitly exploring the complexities of both cultural institutions and the Moana Oceania diaspora. Drawing on his Tongan heritage, Work has pushed his art in new directions over the last decade. Inspired by his research in museums across the globe that house Tongan iconography, typically found on cultural treasures such as ‘akau tau (weaponry), his refined graphic paintings have sought to find new spaces and ways for audiences to engage with Tonga’s visual culture, both inside institutions and on the streets. BRENDAN KITTO Cook Islands, Scottish Brendan Kitto is a photographer based in Whanganui. His work is a visual diary of day-to-day life and his own intrigue with his surroundings. The writers: ZOE BLACK Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine, Pākehā Zoe Black is the Deputy Director of Objectspace in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, and she has been working in galleries for the past nine years. Her curatorial practice has focussed on community development and advocating for critically under-represented craft and object art forms. PITA TUREI Ngai Tai Ki Tamaki, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngā Rauru Kiitahi Pita Turei is a collaborative practitioner and multi-disciplinary artist. Turei is a local iwi advocate who has become a noted storyteller and respected orator connecting a new generation with the ancient histories of Tāmaki Makaurau. Turei began his career in theatre and dance working with organisations who toured both nationally and internationally including the Adelaide Ballet, Limbs Dance Company and Taiao Dance Theatre. He has since worked widely across the creative industries and spent many years in the film industry as a director, actor and photographer, and being significantly involved with Ngā Aho Whakaari Māori On Screen. Turei has worked on several large-scale public art projects across Tāmaki Makaurau including at the Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Waterfront and Spaghetti Junction, SH20 Landscape Design, and Te Wao Nui Auckland Zoo. Turei is currently a member of the Taumata-ā-Iwi rōpu advising the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum. PAUL JOHANSSON Tonga Paul Johansson has been a businessman for over twenty years in the Kingdom of Tonga and has owned the iconic Friends Cafe in Nuku’alofa since 1999. Paul is passionate about his Tongan heritage and family genealogy. His business approach is to integrate our Tongan heritage into business, giving meaningful experiences for those who walk through the door, and at the same time preserving Tongan stories and history: “The Tongan diaspora is growing with new generations of Tongans born overseas. When they come to Tonga they want to be immersed in their Tongan heritage, and it is our responsibility to provide a Tonga that is authentic and true to its identity. Tongan heritage is a valuable and priceless asset to a business and to the Tongan economy.” Paul was born in the Village of Kolonga on the estate of Lord Nuku on Tongatapu. During the celebration of the Coronation of His Late Majesty King George Tupou V in 2008, Paul was awarded the medal of service of the Order of Queen Sālote Tupou 3rd. He spent over fifteen years studying in New Zealand and Australia and is well travelled, but is happy to be settled back in his country of birth and homeland of Tonga. STAN WOLFGRAMM MNZM Cook Islands, Tongan, German Stan Wolfgramm was born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. He is a storyteller and cultural entrepreneur who has worked in mainstream theatre, film, television, events, strategic communications and social economic development producing works for national, regional and international communities, corporate and governments. He began his career over 35 years ago in the fashion industry in front of the camera. But wanting to be more involved in the storytelling process he moved into live theatre, leading him to study acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York. Stan is the founder and director of award winning Drum Productions, which focusses on Pasifika storytelling with the aim of empowering people through story and providing opportunities for talented and collaborative people who wish to do the same. He is also a founder of Te Ara in Rarotonga Cook Islands, a business incubator emphasising social economic development for Pasifika people.