Telly Tuita, Tongpop He-Story
Telly Tuita
Tongpop He-Story
Precinct 35
35 Ghuznee Street
Wellington 6011
Aotearoa (New Zealand)
6–30 August 2020
Telly Tuita, 2020, Promise in Wonderland. Courtesy of the artist and Precinct 35 (Kaukau)
Press release
This body of work follows Telly Tuita’s continued journey across the Tongpop landscape, consisting of a series of portraits acting as self-examination. He-story depicts Tuita faceless, and at times absent, as he continuously explores themes now generally synonymous with Tuita’s work around masculinity, cultural and personal identity.
Tuita is Tongan-born, Wellington artist who works predominantly in paint and photography. Concerned with location, connection and cultural identity, Tuita’s practice is an ongoing review of people and events that traverses time. Mythical figures feature prominently in the works alongside people from Tonga’s colonial history. Deeply personal and simultaneously reflective of the experiences of many, Tuita’s works are gaining recognition across Australasia for their relevance, complexity and assuredness.