I am incredibly proud to finally share a project I have been a part of. ‘Pacific Now’ is a beautiful initiative Johnny has spearheaded.
This snippet from “Tales of the Diaspora” gives you only a tiny insight on her innate drive to correct and accurately represent our people across Te Moananui-a-Kiwa. The altruistic passion she has and continuous advocacy to create opportunities for our people, is why we are in constant awe of her.
Despite trials and tribulations to get this project up and running, she perseveres for a greater purpose than herself: her community.
It is a great privilege to show my people the way I see them and in a space that historically was not for us. It is also a great privilege of mine to have my work shown next to people that I have looked up to since the start of my creative journey.
So thank you to @johnnyaroha , Tangata Moana Board and the National Maritime Museum for giving us the space to do so.
Check it out here:
/stories/art-culture/pasifika-now
Photographers:
@jumpshot_74@princeofmangere@southsides@_moaho_
“Tales of the Diaspora” is a short documentary centered on Johnny, a Cook Islander/Samoan born and raised in the United Kingdom. Despite the distance from the Pacific Islands, she and her community actively create opportunities to learn and share cultural traditions. The short film aims to spark a conversation on how we can help bridge the gap between the diaspora and cultural knowledge holders.
Tales of the Diaspora
The first film by @xxiivanu
This film covers a subject so close to my heart and to be apart of it, is something I will always cherish, and know little Johnny would have needed. And to have the first small private screening in the Queens house in Greenwich is even more special to me. To my beautiful Tutuvanu family @milena_xxii@liddytutuvanu I have been so divinely guided to meeting you both and getting to watch your talents flourish through the process of this journey, I was blessed enough to experience with you. My friend @liddytutuvanu our tupuna knew what they were doing when we ended up on the same couch at Aunty @mammacoole house that day and I’m so grateful to our Lord above everyday, we did.
Our people within the diaspora & across Te Moana Nui O Kiva, as Liddy says this is a love letter to you.
For our people by our people always <3
