This morning, we attended the Kahoa Heilala making workshop at Fresh Gallery, as part of Sione Monu’s Kahoa Kakala exhibition.
Curated by Elle Loui August, “Kahoa Kakala” builds on Monu’s experimental work with nimamea’a tuikakala, or the Tongan fine arts of flower designing using the form of kahoa or Tongan garlands.
Led by the very experienced artist, Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows, fifteen people gathered plastic ornaments, which they then cut, stitched together to their very own kahoa heilala, all while Monu’s 16 large-scale portraits, adorning their own kahoa stared back.
“Kahoa Kalala” closes next Saturday 7th September, with another iteration, opening at Objectspace in November this year.
We Should Practice 