Bottled Ocean
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Bottled Ocean was an exhibition of work by New Zealand artists of Pacific Island descent that was shown at a number of metropolitan art galleries in New Zealand in 1994–1995. It featured the work artists who have become notable figures in New Zealand and internationally.
Jim Vivieaere, a New Zealand artist of Rarotongan descent, was commissioned by touring exhibition company Exhibitour to curate an exhibition of contemporary Pacific Island artists. City Gallery Wellington was a partner in the exhibition.[1][2]
The exhibition was not a straightforward survey or 'celebration' of Pacific artists. Organising the exhibition turned Vivieaere into a spokesperson or authority on Pacific Island art, a position he was uneasy with.[3]: 26 He was concerned that the exhibition could lead to artists being pigeon-holed or 'ghettoised' or that stereotypes of the 'exotic' Pacific could be reinforced.[3]: 26–27 In one interview Vivieaere said that the ‘only reason we are here is that we are Polynesian – not on our merits but because we’re the "other".... We don't need Polynesian shows. I would like to see it as the last.’[2]
Artists
Vivieaere selected a broad range of artists who worked in a variety of media and were at different stages of their careers.[2] Most of them were born in New Zealand but had ties to Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands and Tonga.[4]: 36
Twenty-three artists formed the core exhibition:
- Fatu Feu'u
- William Furneaux
- Patriq Futialo
- Bruce George
- Niki Hastings-McFall
- Ioane Ioane
- Lily Laita
- Iosefa Leo
- Simmie Nichols
- Johnny Peninsula
- Lyle Peninsula
- Laugutu Poloai
- John Pule
- Ani O'Neill
- Albert Refiti
- Toegamau Tom Sefo
- Greg Semu
- Tania Short
- Filipe Tohi
- Michel Tuffery
- Lape Fakalaga Tulisi
- Veronica Vaevae
- Loretta Young
As the exhibition progressed other artists were added including Evotia Tamu, Sheyne Tuffery, Luana Asiata, Sasha Kronfeld, Glenda Vilisoni, Sale Jessop and the musical group Grace (made up of brothers Anthony, Jason and Paul Ioasa).[5]
Display
Bottled Ocean launched at City Gallery Wellington in 1994 and toured to Auckland Art Gallery, Waikato Art Gallery (now Waikato Museum), the Manawatu Art Gallery (now Te Manawa) and the McDougall Art Annex (now Christchurch Art Gallery) throughout 1994 and 1995.[3]: 33
Vivieaere changed the display of the exhibition for each location. At City Gallery Wellington the works were displayed on a mirrored floor behind a perspex wall, mimicking museum cabinets or shop window displays. and creating a forced distance between the art and the viewer.[4]: 136 At the Auckland Art Gallery a mirrored floor was used and some of the works remained in their travelling crates or were partly unpacked.[2] At the Robert McDougall Art Annex Michel Tuffery's sculpture Pisupo Lua Afe, a life-size bull made out of flattened corned-beef cans, was positioned as if it was gazing at a wall of art works like a visitor.[3]: 26