Artist talks: Kalisolaite ‘Uhila and Rob George

Join Kalisolaite ‘Uhila and Rob George in conversation with gallery Director Sophie Davis as they reflect on Uhila’s performance and exhibition Kelekele Mo‘ui (Living Soil).

George and ‘Uhila will discuss the scope of their collaboration around Uhila’s work at Te Whare Toi o Heretaunga Hastings Art Gallery, as well as previous performances by ‘Uhila in Aotearoa and abroad. Drawing upon George’s insights as a filmmaker, they will also explore some of the possibilities and tensions in documenting live performance.

Free, no booking required, followed by refreshments.

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila was born in 1981 in the Kingdom of Tonga. He lives and works in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. ‘Uhila has received widespread recognition for his outstanding contributions to contemporary performance art. In 2017 he won the contemporary Pacific Artist Award at the Creative New Zealand Pasifika Arts Awards and in 2014 he was nominated for the Walters Prize. He has been awarded artist residencies at Montalvo Arts Centre, California, 2018; Youkobo Art Space, Tokyo, 2018, and ZK/U & Ifa Galerie Residency, Berlin, 2016. ‘Uhila was awarded the Harriet Friedlander Residency by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand to live and work in New York City from 2023-24.

Rob George, of Ngāti Kuki Airani and Ngāti Kea Ngāti Tuara descent, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Victoria University Wellington. His 25-year career as a visual storyteller includes international exhibitions and accolades from the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. Notably, he clinched the Emerging Māori Director award in 2016 for "Smiths Ave" and the Best Pacific Short Film title in 2020 for "I Am The Moment," both at the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. Nominated for the 2018 Auckland Festival of Photography Annual Commission, Rob's work spans diverse platforms and includes the series "Arranged." He co-operates The Raro Dog creative studio in Tāmaki Makaurau with Petrina Togi-Sa’ena, living there with his fiancée Lucy Cole and son Ārama George.