Kalisolaite 'Uhila

‘Fakahoko’

The linked nature of a chain can represent strong, lasting connections, unity, and interdependence between people or ideas.

My connection to Mildura was when I was sent to live with my aunty and uncle who were living in Mildura they were church ministers. They got me working in the vineyards, picking fruit, but that didn’t work out so they enrolled me back into school.

I was so out of my comfort at this new school my cousins and I were the only brown kids. But I decided to break out of that mindset and find a way to enjoy it. I hung out with goths, skateboarders, surfers, all different and unusual people. I enjoyed learning about them and their lives. They seemed so free.

I went through a phase of becoming all of these people, trying to find a new life and culture. Doing this helped me to differentiate who I was as a person and where the sense of belonging really was for me. It made me appreciate my own Tongan culture more.

I graduated from Mildura Senior College in 1999 and came back to New Zealand in 2001.

-

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila was born in 1981 in the Kingdom of Tonga. He lives and works in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.

‘Uhila’s practice revolves around performance. He has made many durational performance works which are often informed by his Tongan heritage. Tradition, masculinity and cultural bias are ideas that ‘Uhila explores. Through his performance works he often seeks to promote a sense of understanding and togetherness.

‘Uhila received a Bachelor of Visual Arts from Auckland University of Technology in 2010, followed by a Masters of Performance & Media Arts in 2016. ‘Uhila has received multiple residencies for his practice, including the Montalvo Arts Centre Residency, California (2018); Youkobo Art Space Residency, Tokyo (2018) and ZK/U & Ifa Galerie Residency, Berlin (2016). In 2014 he was selected as a finalist in the Walters Prize for his 2012 work Mo’ui Tukuhausia. In 2020 ‘Uhila was awarded the Harriet Friedlander Residency by the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.

Feature Image Courtesy: Robert George

With support from CNZ Pacific Arts Strategy
Artist is represented by Michael Lett Gallery