Acti.VA.tion with Pacific Sisters

In celebration of the opening of the 24th Biennale of Sydney, the participating artist collective Pacific Sisters will ‘acti.VA.te’ an installation work of four aitu (avatars) on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Pacific Sisters’ practice of ceremonial ‘acti.VA.tion’ occupies a fundamental va (relational space) informed through an urban Moana Pacific lens that connects the members’ ancestral past with the present, and into environments in which their work is displayed. This performance will include the musical debut of ‘Moruroa: extended version remix’, a re-working of an environmental protest song about nuclear testing in the Pacific. The original song, ‘Mororua’ (1996), was composed almost 30 years ago by singer-songwriter Henry Ah Foo Taripo (aka HenZart), a long-time member of Pacific Sisters. The new track features spoken word responses and taonga pūoro (Māori musical instruments) performed by Pacific Sisters.

Poetry reading with John Pule

In a performance for the opening of the 24th Biennale of Sydney, Niuean artist and Biennale participant John Pule will read a selection of poems from his collection I do not want to live in your dreams anymore (2023), commissioned for the exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Artist talk: Pacific Sisters

Meet Pacific Sisters, a Tāngata Moana interdisciplinary arts collective founded in the 1990s and based in Aotearoa New Zealand, whose work is presented in the 24th Biennale of Sydney.

In this artist talk, learn about the fabrication process and unique stories of four aitu (avatars), part of an installation work on display at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Singer-songwriter Henry Ah-Foo Taripo (aka HenZart), a long-time member of Pacific Sisters, will also discuss the song ‘Moruroa: extended version remix’. A re-working of an environmental protest song about nuclear testing in the Pacific and first recorded in 1996, this musical debut will be presented at the Acti.VA.tion with Pacific Sisters performance during the opening weekend celebrations.

Artist talk: Bonita Ely

In celebration of the opening of the 24th Biennale of Sydney, participating artist Bonita Ely joins Emily Sullivan, the coordinating curator for 24th Biennale of Sydney at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and assistant curator of contemporary international art, in this conversation.

Ely will explore themes of environmental degradation in her art, likening biblical plagues of locusts with the relationship humans have with the natural world.

Guided tours: 24th Biennale of Sydney: Ten Thousand Suns

Join one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides for a free tour of the 24th Biennale of Sydney.