An exhibiton of work by two contemporary Tongan artists opens at Manukau's Fresh Gallery Otara this week.

Maka Tu'u Taha is a joint exhibition by two New Zealand-based Tongan artists, Kulimoe'anga Maka (Stone) and Samiu Napa'a. An exhibiton of work by two contemporary Tongan artists opens at Manukau's Fresh Gallery Otara this week.

Maka Tu'u Taha is a joint exhibition by two New Zealand-based Tongan artists, Kulimoe'anga Maka (Stone) and Samiu Napa'a.The exhibition responds to recent events in Tonga, with the artists acknowledging that one year has gone by since the passing of Tonga's late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

Although the artists have both exhibited widely in New Zealand, they admit that there are very few exhibitions that focus on contemporary Tongan art.

Maka, who is currently based in Christchurch, is also well-known as a sculptor. He began working as an artist while still in Tonga, holding exhibitions and completing several murals in Tongatapu and Ha'apai before migrating to New Zealand in 1998.

Maka has exhibited in Manukau since 1998 when he held his first New Zealand solo exhibition. He met Napa'a while studying at Whitecliffe College of Art & Design in Auckland and again at Manukau Institute of Technology's Manukau School of Visual Arts where both artists majored in painting.

The artists will be present at the opening where a limited edition catalogue will be available, featuring a curatorial essay by fellow Tongan-New Zealand academic Charmaine Ilaiu, currently studying for Master of Architecture at the University of Auckland.

When: 6-29 September 2007
Opening event: 6pm-8pm, Thursday 6 September
Where: Fresh Gallery Otara, Otara Town Centre, Manukau City

Image: Painting (detail) by Samiu Napa'a.