An exhibition referencing issues facing Kiribati including climate change, over-population and threats to traditional cultures is touring New Zealand.
Jeff Smith's interactive warrior Photo: SUPPLIED / Sam Hartnett
An exhibition referencing issues facing Kiribati including climate change, over-population and threats to traditional cultures is touring New Zealand.
'Tungaru: The Kiribati Project' is a collaboration between New Zealand artists Chris Charteris and Jeff Smith and incorporates sculpture, photography and interactive video.
The project was born out of Mr Charteris's desire to return to his ancestral homeland Kiribati for the first time.
Mr Charteris says one artwork is Te Ma, a 7.5 metre construction of Venus shells, in the form of a traditional Kiribati heart-shaped fish trap.
"I was looking at things that were unique to Kiribati, particular forms or traditions. The islands are very limited in resources. There's coconuts, there's shells, there's pandanas and coconut string. So I limited myself to using materials that are found there."
The exhibition will tour a number of New Zealand galleries, and is currently at Pataka in Porirua where it will run until 7th of June.
Artwork by Chris Charteris, Te Ma Photo: SUPPLIED / Sam Hartnett
