The Last Kai

The Last Kai is a collaborative project by mother and daughter duo Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies.

Support us, as we create a large decorative Ngatu (tapa cloth) and four small sized works on tapa for a group exhibition called, 'The Most Unusual Gift' at the Ashburton Art Gallery in the South Island, opening May 2022.

About us.

Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows and I, Tui Emma Gillies, are a mother and daughter duo. We collaborate to produce tapa cloth works that reach down into the traditions of Pasifika art, while also being influenced by classical themes, modern movements and issues that are both universal and deeply personal in our day-to-day lives.

Sulieti was brought up on the traditional style of Tongan tapa painting, while I was born and bred in South Auckland and have a much more contemporary and unfettered approach. This sometimes leads to lively discussions about what's appropriate subject matter, not to mention styles and materials.

About this project: The Last Kai.

Sulieti and I have exhibited and spoken about our art practice around the world. But we believe what we are planning for this Boosted campaign will be different to anything ever seen on tapa cloth before and we aim to leave the viewer nothing short of awestruck.

We need your help to get this project over the line.

We are asking for your help to sponsor our project as we bring it to life. We'll be creating a large Pasifika version on Tongan tapa cloth of one of the greatest artworks in history, but with a modern twist to it.

We will source our plain tapa cloth from the capital in Tonga, Sulieti's home village, Falevai, in Vava'u and also create our own feta'aki which we had grown for us when we revived the practise of making and decorating bark cloth in Falevai.

Your generous support will help us with the sourcing and purchasing and freight costs of the materials needed from Tonga and New Zealand.

This is an exciting Pasifika art project. Jump on board with us and let's make some magic happen!

Thank you for your support.