BY JOY OFASIA
A group of women from the Solomon Islands have left a lasting impression at one of the Asia-Pacific’s most prestigious art events — the 11th Asia Pacific Triennial (APT11), hosted by the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane, Australia.
From the remote island communities of Katupika, Wagina, and Kia, the women of the KAWAKI collective, in collaboration with Dreamcast Theatre, have woven their stories into an immersive audiovisual art installation. Their exhibition at the Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane, celebrates the ongoing role of Solomon Islands women in environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.
“It is so special to see the art of Solomon Islands being displayed in a beautiful way,” Ruha Fifita, Curatorial Assistant for Pacific Art at QAGOMA told SOLOMON WOMEN. “These artworks invite global audiences to learn about the roles of this artistic play for the people of the Arnavon Islands.”
KAWAKI’s involvement goes far beyond art. The women’s group plays a central role in the management of a community-led conservation park in the Arnavon Islands — a first of its kind in the Solomon Islands. Their artistry reflects deep ties to their land, sea, and ancestral knowledge.
For over a year and four months, the women worked hand-in-hand with Dreamcast Theatre, a collective from Honiara, to create the installation — a blend of traditional song, story, and dance that honors their connection to nature and culture.
“Dreamcast went in to document so thoughtfully, upholding the relationships between these women,” said Fifita. “They worked collaboratively to create an immersive audiovisual environment for the triennial.”
The installation — featuring woven forms suspended from the gallery ceiling and a powerful performance piece — stands as both a cultural expression and a call to action about conservation, identity, and the strength of community.
Directed by Gillian Oti of Dreamcast Theatre and performed by Lavinia Pupuru Denson, Mone Patrick Rimon, Indy Oreba Mereki, Margery Abuofa Zesapa, Tracy Agnes Lamana, and Dilly Nadariko Maezama, the piece resonates with audiences far from the Solomon Islands’ shores.
The project was supported by the Commonwealth Office for the Arts, QAGOMA’s Oceania Women’s Fund, and The Nature Conservancy, and has been widely praised for its cultural authenticity and impact.
As woven forms now hang proudly in Queensland’s gallery halls, the women of KAWAKI are weaving something even greater — a legacy of strength, voice, and connection for generations to come.
The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial (APT11), hosted by the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) in Brisbane ran from 30 November 2024 to 27 April 2025.
