The “Godfather” of the Pacific contemporary art, Fatu Feu’u, has returned to the Cook Islands to work alongside a local artist and express his gratitude for the place that helped him launch his artistic career.

Feu’u is reuniting with renowned Cook Islands artist Mahiriki Tangaroa for the opening of their Aro’a Alofa exhibition at the Bergman Gallery in Taputapuatea this evening at 6pm.

The noted Samoan artist visited Rarotonga in 2002 as Creative New Zealand artist in residence, in association with the Cook Islands Ministry of Cultural Development.

While in Rarotonga, he mentored local artists and produced a body of work for a series of exhibitions including the group show Aro’a Rarotonga.

Feu’u says returning to Rarotonga and presenting his latest work in collaboration with Tangaroa is a way of giving back to the Cook Islands and the friends who supported his career, as well as reconnecting with the local community.

“It’s a great idea to make connections again with the people who helped me with my career because to be honest with you, in our Polynesian culture, you don’t go to do things by yourself,” explains the 78-year-old artist.

“You always either take your brother or best friend with you and it’s a very important thing to share things with friends.

“I think for tomorrow (today), if I am asked to say something, I would just like to say thank you to my artist friends here and also to the Bergman Gallery for helping me in my career and other artists’ career like Riki (Tangaroa) and others.

“Even a lot of other artists based in New Zealand have been here and now the Bergman Gallery is in Auckland for the past three years and it’s still going well and that helps propel or paddle our canoes from here to New Zealand and to New York and even Europe.”

Feu’u, who is from the village of Poutasi in the district of Falealili in Samoa, says being Polynesian and having connections here in the Cook Islands is one of the perks of being in the art industry. They have respect for each other as well as support each other.

This is not Feu’u’s first visit to the island. He has made several trips before for the same cause and has inspired many younger generations and communities in recent years

When asked why he keeps returning to Cook Islands instead of his home country Samoa, Feu’u said it was his friends and the connections he’s made in Rarotonga.

“I know a lot of Cook Islands artists in New Zealand as well and they’re doing very well and one of the things I always say about Cook Islands is if (renowned Japanese painter Shiba) Kōkan ever visited Cook Islands, he will end up painting here.”

Feu’u was appointed an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2001 New Year Honours.

In October 2022 he was awarded the Senior Pacific Artist Award by Creative New Zealand, for his outstanding contribution to art and his role as a leader within the Pacific arts community. 

In December 2022, Fatu received the ICON Award, alongside Dame Jane Campion and Dame Robin White, by the NZ Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi. In March 2023, Fatu received the Distinguished Alumni Award - Auckland University.

Cook Islands artist Tangaroa says the exhibition means a lot to her.

When Feu’u visited Rarotonga in 2002, Tangaroa was a curator at the National Museum and was overseeing the Creative New Zealand Artist and Residence programme in conjunction with the Cook Islands Ministry of Culture.

“It’s that sort of affirmation of our connections whether they be cultural, traditional, spiritual, and I think that’s important,” Tangaroa says about the upcoming exhibition which will run until September 27, 2024.

“We often sort of get caught up in the whole making work for the gallery or exhibiting overseas which doesn’t have that same meaning so that’s what this means to me.”

When she started this work about three to four months ago, Tangaroa says their collaboration inspired her to work on the colourful pieces she will be showing alongside Feu’u at the exhibition.

There are close to 20 artworks by Feu’u and Tangaroa that will be showcased at the exhibition tonight, each with its own unique meaning. The goal is to sell all these pieces.

According to Bergman Gallery, Aro’a Alofa revisits an era, a time of humble beginnings, optimism and high aspirations.

“The works in this exhibition have been inspired by the friendships that were formed during this time. With the prospect of further continuing our relationships, our respective cultural and artistic connections.”

Ewan Smith, managing director of Air Rarotonga, will be the opening speaker at the event.