By Ema Ganivatu
A new exhibition featuring artists of vastly different styles, but united by common themes, is currently showing at the Oceania Centre at the University of the South Pacific’s Laucala campus.
Ulamila Bulamaibau and Sangeeta Rubine’s works focus on social issues and the strength and resilience of women worldwide.
As soon as I entered the gallery, I felt strongly connected to the artwork. The diverse pieces spoke to me, particularly their focus on empowering women.
Bulamaibau tells Fiji Traveller that they are pushing against the art sector’s status quo. “It’s a very male-dominated sector in Fiji’s society. You will see a lot of male artists and their works, but you will see only some female artists, and you won’t hear their voices. This is where Sangeeta and I come in to change that perspective with our artwork.”
Rubine says their work amplifies voices that need to be heard. “We hope this exhibition offers more than just a visual experience; we want it to spark thought and reflection and inspire action.”
The artists’ partnership began in 2011 through an art class. Their shared passion quickly blossomed into a lasting friendship. “This exhibition is my first solo show, but it’s also a collaboration with my dear friend Ulamila,” Rubine shares. “Together, we’ve contributed equally to the works, allowing our individual journeys to intersect and strengthen the collective message.”
As artists, they aim to highlight the struggles women face in our region, mainly focusing on violence.
One of the central pieces is Violence Against Women, a collaborative artwork that connects local and global stories. Ulamila started the piece by drawing inspiration from global stories of survival. She used book covers and real-life stories of women overcoming challenging situations to make a powerful statement about women’s strength. Then Rubine added a local touch, bringing in newspaper articles highlighting violence against women in Fiji.
“We wanted to show how this issue is not just a distant global problem but something that is affecting our communities right here,” Rubine explains. The result is a powerful piece that blends personal and collective stories, highlighting the far-reaching impact of violence against women.
Another impactful piece, My Bilum, takes a deeper dive into the specific challenges of women in Papua New Guinea, such as gender-based and sorcery-related violence. The dark tones of the painting convey the sorrow and suffering experienced by these women, while the bright, fluorescent colours symbolise hope for change and a brighter future. As Bulamaibau explains: “For this piece, because I had to paint against a dark background, I chose colors that would project the image out. As an artist, the way you paint your subject is crucial, depending on the message you are trying to convey. While it was a very dark setting, I still aimed to show the beauty of PNG women.”
“Art is not just about creating something visually pleasing; it’s a platform to raise awareness about issues that are often silenced,” she adds.
Another of Rubine’s work uses wax-resist techniques. The mixed media wall-hangings called the ‘Last Links’, illustrate the devastating impacts of plastic pollution on marine life. “With nano plastics entering the food chain and with global warming and sea-level rise, how many marine creatures are endangered, how many of the creatures, all of which are vital links to the food chain, are the last that we will see in the ocean…….” she shares.
“As women, we’re constantly thinking about the future, how we’ll feed our families and protect the environment for future generations,” Rubine reflects. “These issues are urgent, and our art aims to raise awareness.”
Throughout their journey as artists, they have learned the importance of continuous development. Bulamaibau emphasises the value of never stopping: “As artists, we must always keep growing and learning.” Rubine agrees: “The more you work, the more confident and capable you become.”
Bulamaibau hopes their work will inspire other female artists to step out and bring their art and message to the world. Rubine encourages women to keep going despite challenges: “Don’t stop, don’t stop… You have a place, and you can bring your style, your voice.”
