THE Na Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi, Ro Teimumu Kepa, paid tribute to the many Fijians who contributed to Fiji through their artistry and crafts on Tuesday night last week.
Speaking at the opening of the Born from Fire Exhibition at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva, the Burebasaga paramount chief said she hoped traditional and contemporary art survived many generations as she praised the fine works of three of Fiji’s sought after local artists – Alice Hill, Shane Bower and Lambert Ho.
The Born from Fire is a popular exhibition put together by experienced professional glassblower Alice and metal sculptor Shane Bower in 2017 and have since grown to be one of the sought after events.
Their use of extreme heat to shape and bend molten glass or metal to make objects of beauty is what makes them stand out from the crowd.
Ro Teimumu shared their creations are a representative of Fiji and deemed it “a component of our culture and a national identity”.
“Look around this exhibition and you see something else; the beauty, the splendour and power of human art. Make no mistake a nation needs this, if its fabric is to be complete,” she shared.
This year’s Born from Fire theme is Reflections of Viti. It features work based on Fijian artifacts, stories and customs. Guests were treated to a treasure trove of hand blown glass art from Alice, metal and copper structures from Shane and a profusion of colours and compelling paintings from guest artist Lambert Ho.
“In my own province of Rewa, women of Nasilai have long had a reputation as traditional potters,” said the high chief.
“What they make is also born from fire, just like many of the exhibits here. Images of the receptacles from Nasilai have featured as national symbols on postage stamps and on the $1 coin, the saqamoli.
“One of my concerns is to ensure this folk survives as part of our Rewa heritage. I would like to explore with Alice and Shane whether the potters clay and artistry from Rewa can be blended in with their metal and glass,” she remarked.
The former leader of opposition added it was fitting that the exhibition was held at the Grand Pacific Hotel — an icon of colonial architecture and elegance.
The exhibition which entered its third year this year, ends its showing on Sunday, October 13.
