Powerhouse announces new commission by Yuki Kihara ...

A new program has been announced by Powerhouse with a particular focus on Pacific communities, including a commission by internationally acclaimed artist Yuki Kihara.

Over three days this interdisciplinary program will highlight urgent issues around small island ecologies, climate justice, decolonial museology, and diasporic and Pacific alliances.

Powerhouse will proudly host Talanoa Forum: Moana Rising, which was first presented at the 59th Venice Biennale, and extends the themes of Yuki Kihara's Paradise Camp exhibition.

Talanoa Forum brings together 26 artists, curators, scholars, activists and policymakers from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, Sāmoa, Tahiti, and Italy.

With speakers include dancer Daniel Mateo, writer Francesca Tarocco, curator Ioana Gordon-Smith, Punake body-centred performance artist Latai Taumoepeau, creative producer Leo Tanoi.

As well as arts trust director Aanoali'i Rowena Fuluifaga, architect and painter Miriama Bono, Pacific customary music specialist Tau'ili'ili Alpha Maiava, climate change advocate Fagalima Tuatagaloa, curator Professor Natalie King OAM and artist Yuki Kihara.

In addition to the Talanoa Forum, Kihara's new work Bertha will be unveiled at Powerhouse Ultimo on August 24 as part of the Paradise Camp exhibition on until December.

Kihara who is of Japanese and Sāmoan descent, is an interdisciplinary artist who interrogates and dismantles gender roles, (mis)representation and colonial legacies in the Pacific.

Bertha is an extension of Kihara's previous series, A night to remember (2022), featuring similar dolls dressed in evening gowns worn by contestants at the first Miss Samoa Fa'afafine beauty pageant in Sāmoa in 1983.

Earlier this year, Kihara participated in an eight-week creative residency which resulted in the creation of a series of racialised vintage Pacific dolls.

Kihara collected dolls from thrift stores and eBay that have been upcycled and repurposed to tell the larger-than-life story of BERTHA commissioned by the Powerhouse.

Kihara collected dolls from thrift stores and eBay and reheated costumes worn by Bertha throughout

Bertha is named after an active member of Sydney's queer and Fa'afafine communities and drag alter-ego of Harold Samu, who played a leading role in gay nightlife and HIV/AIDS activism in Aotearoa NZ, throughout the 1990's.

Kihara and Samu worked closely to design and recreate costumes worn by Bertha throughout Samu's life, transformed into costumes for each of the dolls.

With looks such as a copper-coloured coat that Samu wore during a march celebrating the decriminalisation of the Homosexual Law Reform bill and Fa'afafines at the Sydney Opera House 2009.

When Bertha performed alongside a line-up of Sydney's best drag performers at the Sydney Opera House.

Today Samu continues to be involved in the queer community in various capacities since moving to Gadigal land, Sydney in early 2000.

'It's been a privilege working with Harold to tell his story of queer activism through BERTHA," said Kihara.

"This new commission extends my ongoing exploration of in-drag-enous as a form of resilience and empowerment."

Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah said;

"Powerhouse is proud to collaborate with artist and cultural leader Yuki Kihara, who uses her creative practice to prompt audiences to reflect on significant issues that affect us on a global scale.

"Talanoa Forum: Moana Rising will deliver innovative solutions that can be applied across multiple sectors,"

Drag queen BERTHA will perform onstage with her lifelong collaborator Buckwheat, along with other performers from Sydney's queer community at Powerhouse Late: BERTHA on 24 August.

The program will also feature a screening of the 90's cult TV cooking show Eaten Alive; a tour of Paradise Camp with Yuki Kihara and Natalie King.

With cocktails curated by Bertha and music inspired by the life of Bertha curated by DJ Alex Taylor.

EXHIBITION DETAILS

Paradise Camp by Yuki Kihara, Curated by Professor Natalie King OAM

Powerhouse Ultimo

Until December 2023

Free, no registration required

https://powerhouse.com.au/program/paradise-camp

POWERHOUSE LATE: BERTHA

Powerhouse Ultimo

24 August 2023, 5–9pm

Free