Art & creativity  |  15 Aug 2024

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A new artwork inspired by growing up in a Polynesian household is lighting up the side of Te Pae.

The striking ‘api' (‘home’ in Tongan) is a collaboration between local artists Monti Masiu and Nicholas Keyse.

The artwork is part of Watch This Space’s Spotlight project which sees projection artworks displayed on the Gloucester Street exterior of the Christchurch Convention Centre Te Pae.

The 2024 display is the third iteration of the Spotlight series, featuring three new artists working with digital creatives, supported by Christchurch City Council’s Place Partnership Fund.

The circular design is drawn from Masiu’s Tongan heritage then Keyse took the geometric patterns and added the moving, kaleidoscopic effects to the work.

“It feels good to share the art I was blessed to see growing up in a Polynesian household, while adding a bit of modern flavour to it,” Masiu said.

“The big beautiful Ngatu (tapa cloth) was something I saw around my home and family member’s homes which inspired this artwork.”

The background represents ngatu – the Tongan name for tapa or decorated bark cloth, overlaid with patterns from traditional tatatau (tattoo). At the centre is a kava bowl, a symbolic ritual deeply embedded in Tongan culture.

Even as the work moves and transforms, the image retains a traditional geometric pattern. 

Spotlight is on display on the side of Te Pae

Keyse said the cyclic motion is “similar to vortices within whirlpools, evoking the Pacific Ocean.”

“For me, the artwork is about life cycles. History, tradition, evolution. A modern lens projecting new meaning and translation into traditional imagery.”

Both artists said this work was unlike anything they had done before.

“I am truly grateful to have the opportunity to work on such interesting projects with Watch This Space, collaborate with talented local artists and to have my art and ideas viewed on the amazing space at Te Pae,” Keyse said. 

“It means so much to me to be able to push the limits, helped by the unique needs of the artists and artworks, to the large-scale canvas and its location.”

The Spotlight work ‘api' can be seen each night on the Gloucester Street side of Te Pae.