Tautai Pacific Arts Trust is a Pacific gallery in Auckland, New Zealand and a charitable trust founded by Fatu Feu'u to empower Pacific arts in New Zealand.[1]
Tautai Pacific Arts Trust | |
---|---|
Alternative names | Tautai |
General information | |
Address | 300 Karangahape Road, Auckland CBD, Auckland, New Zealand |
Country | New Zealand |
Coordinates | 36°51′28″S 174°45′28″E / 36.85782°S 174.75791°E |
Known for | New Zealand Pacific art |
Fatu Feu'u founded Tautai Pacific Charitable Trust after having a conversation with Colin McCahon in the 1980s, when McCahon told Feu'u that the New Zealand art world was waiting for Pacific artists to make a serious contribution. Tautai was the first Pacific gallery in New Zealand. Fatu Feu'u is still a patron to this day.[1] Fatu Feu'u was appointed an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2001 New Year Honours for his contribution and development to Pacific arts.[2]
The name Tautai draws on the Samoan word for navigator.[3] Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust has provided a sense of community and belonging for the Pacific community in New Zealand for over 30 years.[4] Tautai champions Pacific artists, and plays an important role promoting and nurturing the growing Pacific arts community in New Zealand.[5]
The current location is situated on Karangahape Road, Auckland as of 2020, the new space was opened by then Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dame Jacinda Adern. The building features a sculpture by New Zealand artist Guy Ngan, who identified as Pacific Chinese.[3]