Fibre Gallery is the first of its kind in Te Wai Pounamu, a distinctly Moana-focused gallery dedicated to showcasing community-engaged, digital, and heritage artworks by Moana creatives.
Based in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch, Fibre Gallery is committed to increasing the visibility of Pacific artists and fostering greater understanding and appreciation of contemporary Pacific art among New Zealanders. By providing resources, opportunities, and a platform to amplify creative voices, we celebrate the richness of Pacific artistry and its role in shaping cultural expression.
Our mission extends to building connections between contemporary Pacific voices and wider social and political conversations, ensuring Pacific creativity plays a vital role in broader narratives.
We proudly acknowledge Ngāi Tūāhuriri iwi as mana whenua of this takiwā and as the rightful custodians of the land on which we stand.
PRESENT
Te Manu Raʻa o Raʻiātea
The Heavenly Bird of Rangiātea
February 14th – March 21st
Dr Pasha Mahuto'a Clothier and Fanau
Te Manu Ra'a o Ra'iātea speaks of a multidimensional journey through Moana cosmologies, a transition to the authentic self, embracing tūpuna while recognising diaspora. Pasha was introduced to Kaiwhakatere (Navigation) cosmology by Kawaihululani, who had been inculcated with traditional Hawai'ian knowledge by Kahu Abraham Kawai'i, a Kahuna that used navigation metaphors to teach cosmology.
The consequence was a transformation of creative process into living wayfinding. Under the guidance of Kawaihululani and with Rangiātea Tahuna Tihoti, this eventually led to a rite of passage culminating in the placement of a bound, laser etched kōhatu on the sacred marae of Taputapuātea on Ra'iātea. Tihoti then honoured Mahuto'a by taking them to the place Kaiwhakatere would select kōhatu for transporting to new islands in precolonial times. The Aotearoa Taputapuātea is in Whitianga, and there are known Taputapuātea sites on Hawai'i, the Astral Islands and Rarotonga.
In discussion with Tihoti, the kōhatu was named Te Manu Ra'a o Ra'iātea The Heavenly Bird of Rangiātea. It was agreed Te Manu would fly to new places and provide a context for engaging tapu and noa, opening up to tūpuna and hosting whakapapa workshops.
Embedded are the Moana values of relationality and reciprocity, recognising our connection to all species and the wider universe, which together constitute dynamic energies. These energies are palpable to those able to sense them, a matter for the intuitive gut-based instinct rather than the logical, rational mind. This message is essential to humanity going forward as rationality without intuition has trapped societies in cycles of exploitation and degradation. We are surrounded by untold abundance and beauty: we can hear and see these riches with searching senses and an authentic wairua.
Pasha Mahuto’a Clothier has worked at the intersection of culture, environment, art, science, and technology since 2004. They co-founded Solar Circuit Aotearoa New Zealand in partnership with Te Matahiapo Indigenous Research Organisation and have presented work in twenty countries, including being selected for eight exhibitions at the prestigious International Symposia of Electronic Art, with the video Te Hihiri o Te Ahi screened at Ars Electronica in 2024. In 2020 Pasha was awarded a Vice Chancellor Scholarship at AUT, allowing three and half years of full-time doctoral research. From this emerged Ngaru Whenua: Diffracting Indigenous Practices, Quantum Theory, Electronic Art and the Anthropocene, a life-changing whakapapa journey under the guidance of Kawaihululani, supervisors and the Ra’iātea Tahu’a Tihoti. A laser-etched kōhatu was placed on Taputapuātea Marae on Ra’iātea, and Pasha returned with the Kōhatu Te Manu Ra’a o Ra'iātea The Heavenly Bird of Rangiātea, which has become the context for renewed living and creative aspirations.
Fanau
Acknowledging and thanking Kohana Clothier, Kim Kahu, John Christini, Josiah Jordan, Tihoti, Kawaihululani, Paul Cook, Annie Overton, Clothier Fanau, Nina Oberg, Thomas Ashcraft, CERN, NASA, ESA, Mark Williamson, Tohorā o Hitiaurevareva me Hawai'i, Otaha, Mokomoko me Tuna o Rangiātea ki Huahine, Te Manu me Ngahere o Aotearoa, Ngā Whetu ki Te Rā me Marama, Tupuna.
Future
Call for Entries
Fibre Gallery is excited to announce the 'Aimata's National Secondary School Pacific Arts Awards 2025 and invites all secondary school students and recent leavers to submit.
Submission Guidelines:
Your artwork can be in any medium (film, photography, digital, printmaking, painting, drawing, sculpture. There is no theme.
Students must be between 15-19 years old, recent High School leavers included.
All entries will be judged by a panel of esteemed guests, including respected artists and cultural leaders.
Submissions due: 6th April
Documentation:
If you are submitting a digital photograph, film or digital work simply send us a file. If you need to document a sculpture, installation, drawing or painting, look at the video link below to get tips for documentation.
https://youtu.be/CrWssPzsRuk?feature=shared
Prizes:
The top three winners will receive the following cash prizes:
1st Prize: $2000
2nd Prize: $1500
3rd Prize: $1000
Additionally, the top 10 shortlisted artworks will be exhibited at Fibre Gallery in May 2025. All freight costs for shipping artwork to and from the gallery will be fully covered by Fibre Gallery.
Winners of all 3 categories will be flown to Christchurch to receive their awards at the opening ceremony. Flights and accommodation will be provided for the winners if needed.
The 'Aimata Awards are dedicated to supporting and celebrating emerging Pacific artists, Pacific arts, and culture. We encourage all secondary school students to participate in this opportunity to showcase their talent.
If you have any questions please email: aimataawards@tagatamoana.com
Entry Form
Visit Us
Location
Level 1, 285 Cashel Street
Christchurch Central
Hours
Wednesday–Friday
10am–4pm