Arts

By Samantha Magick Sugar is a commodity weighted with meaning in Fiji, from its role in the country’s economic history and migration stories to its place in the dietary choices and health status of its citizens. Sugar is also the title and connecting thread between the protagonists of a compelling new novel written by political […]

By Ema Ganivatu Marilyn Cornelius, a writer with a heart full of stories, has just recently launched her first children’s book, Lani and the Cumquat Adventures. While the prolific writer has authored or co-authored 40 other books on self-love, trauma and positivity, this is her first children’s book. Like her earlier books, it reflects her […]

Boris Toucas: Ballpoint pen artist By Alipate Pareti With simple strokes of a humble ballpoint pen, Boris Toucas is bringing Suva to life in the pages of his sketchbook. The 40-year-old former French diplomat now resides in Fiji, where he is inspired by the beauty of landscapes, city skylines and people within the environment. In […]

By Ema Ganivatu The ‘Alchemy’ exhibition—which is currently open to all at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva— is a call to action for artists and art lovers to recognize the value of local creativity. “We need to promote that people can be inspired by what’s here and can create unique artwork,” says Alice Hill […]

By Ema Ganivatu The newly launched What Can You See in this ABC book brings together some of Fiji’s best-known artists with the goal of inspiring a reading culture among Fiji’s children. Authors Jane Ricketts and Joanne Vosailagi – who have combined their love of Fiji with their passion for reading and art – say […]

By Ema Ganivatu For over 40 years, a 64-year-old i-Taukei craftswoman has captivated buyers, tourists, and locals with her beautifully crafted handmade products, earning admiration for her timeless skills and creativity. This year, Lanieta Raratabu, who traveled from Waimalua Settlement in Serea, Naitasiri, was one of the women participating in the National Craft Exhibition in […]

By Ema Ganivatu  Fijian Artist Irami Buli is sitting in a spacious room where his colorful pieces are displayed alongside works by other talented local artists. The works are submissions in the National Fine Arts Awards, which are now on display at the National Art Gallery in downtown Suva. “Art speaks to our identity, our history, and […]

Local dance company MATA is “bringing energy and power” to this year’s Dance Fest competition.

By Aisha Azeemah A book to champion the very existence of books was launched in Suva last week at the Samabula Campus Art Gallery of the University of Fiji. A compendium of the experiences of those Pacific thinkers whose paths have been determined by reading, the book Moveable Magic: Re-making the World, according to its […]

The short films titled In Exile and My Fish Is Your Fish were showcased before more than 200 high school students from across Suva.

By Kite Pareti Mele Nabola’s journey with art began from a young age. Her father, who’s also an artist, has been her inspiration which encouraged her to follow in his footsteps.  “Growing up I would see him paint sign boards for a living. I would help him clean his brushes and then later on I […]

By Ben Wheeler The Fourth Pacific Human Rights Film Festival is gearing up for what organisers expect to be its biggest and most successful year yet. This October audiences will be treated to the Fijian premiere of the sumptuous ecofeminist feature Pacific Mother and an exclusive director’s cut of the stunning reef renewal documentary Protecting […]

This year’s Allan Alo Festival last night opened with a stunning performance, and featured an exhibition of renowned Pacific artists. The week-long festival promises to captivate audiences by focusing on Pacific cultural heritage, with contributions from regional guest artists as well as students of the late Allan Alo in Fiji. Hosted at the Oceania Art […]

On the third Sunday of every month, all local residents are invited to visit the Fiji Museum at a discounted rate. New ticket prices for adults age 16 and over will be $5, while kids age 15 and under is $2.50. The Fiji Museum team is offering this incentive once a month “to thank local […]

By Ben Wheeler If anyone deserves the moniker of Fijian Traveller right now, it is Tumeli ‘Meli’ Tuqota Jr. In recent years, his work as Fiji’s premier film producer and director has seen him voyage from the Maoriland Film Festival in New Zealand to the Rochefort Film Festival in France. He has also had spells […]

Hold this, roll this, sit here and blow slowly. If you are a fan of ‘Blown Away’, Netflix’s strangely compelling competitive glass blowing show, you may have thought, ‘That looks like fun, I’d like to try that.’ The onscreen glass artists, and the in-real-life glassblowers at Hot Glass Fiji in Korotogo make it look deceptively […]

Nina Nawalowalo returns home By Samantha Magick When director Nina Nawalowalo shared her film, A Boy Called Piano at the Samabula Juvenile Centre late last year, she was struck by the scenes that resonated with its young audience. The movie centres on the journey of Fa’amoana John Luafutu and his son Matthias. Fa’amoana moved to […]

By Samantha Magick In an age where art is increasingly digitally-manipulated, there is no mistaking the artist’s hand in the work of Su Elliott. Elliott likes to leave the faint traces of her erasures and evidence of her brush strokes in her finished works. “To me it is important for whoever’s looking at the work […]

By Debbie Singh In September 2022, the VOU Dance Company in Fiji was awarded a grant of almost €180,000 through an African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) – European Union (EU) funded project to promote the sustainability of cultural and creative industries in the Pacific. The project is implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC) in partnership with […]

By Prerna Priyanka Fijian storyteller and climate activist, Fenton Lutunatabua, is gearing up for the premiere of his debut film ‘Vakaraitaka’ at the Maoriland Film Festival in March. The festival, now in its 11th year, is New Zealand’s premier international Indigenous Film Festival, and provides a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. ‘Vakaraitaka’ is a […]

By Ben Wheeler Take one Swedish pop band – the finest you can find – add a hint of the Italian language, a Greek setting, a universal tale of love lost, and a quest for identity. Bring to the boil with an Irish Australian director and sprinkle liberally with Fijian talent – you can find […]

By Prerna Priyanka Ben Masirewa, who has been dubbed a “one-man musical genius,” is returning to the Fiji Fringe Festival after his blazing performance last year. Masirewa credits his father for instilling a rebellious spirit within him, fostering a love for rock ‘n’ roll and encouraging him to dare to be different.  “He dared me […]

By Prerna Priyanka In a bold move to amplify women’s voices and challenge societal taboos, the upcoming Fiji Fringe Festival is set to feature a riveting theatre performance of Eve Ensler’s renowned “Vagina Monologues.” Roshika Deo, a prominent figure in Fiji’s gender equality movement and the driving force behind the production, says the performance will […]

By Samantha Magick and Elizabeth Kolivuso Suva painter Jane Ricketts’ paintings are a window into Fiji’s history and history-makers, iTaukei and Indo-Fijian culture, cityscapes and intimate depictions of her family. Ricketts developed her interest in art at a very young age, at the knee of her grandfather, who painted landscapes. But it was a turning […]