Yuki Kihara – Plenary
Monday 25th March: 12.00 – 12.30
Bio:
Yuki Kihara is an interdisciplinary artist whose work seeks to challenge dominant and singular historical narratives through visual arts, dance, and curatorial practice, engaging with Pacific colonial history and representation as they intersect with race, gender, spirituality, and sexual politics. Kihara lives and works in Sāmoa.
Abstract:
First Impressions: Paul Gauguin
‘First Impressions: Paul Gauguin’ written and directed by Yuki Kihara, is a 5-part episodic talkshow series capturing candid responses of a panel of members of Sāmoa’s fa’afafine community to select paintings by French artist Paul Gauguin some believed to feature Māhu – the Tahitian ‘third gender’. Kihara will introduce and screen one of the episodes.
Vincent Reyes – Plenary
Monday 25th March: 13.30 – 14.00
Bio:
Vincent J. Reyes is a recognized Master of Chamorro Dance and Guam Department of Education teacher. He authored the GDOE Traditional Chamorro Arts Curriculum and serves as Inetnon Gefpa’go Cultural Arts Program Director, traveling to 20 countries worldwide. He is currently Oceania Chairperson for the Federation of International Dance Festivals.
Abstract:
“Chamorro Folk Dance : From a modern reinvention of an extinct ancient practice to becoming a reachable and relevant voice of Chamorro cultural identity”
The Chamorro’s, the indigenous people of Guam, continue to redefine their identity and navigate their culture to create a delicate balance between modernity and natural cultural evolution. This paper will focus on Chamorro dance, from its extinction to its modern reinvention, to becoming a vibrant voice of Chamorro modern identity.
Dion Enari – Plenary
Monday 25th March: 13.30 – 14.00
Bio:
I am a New Zealand born Samoan, PhD candidate and current 3 minute thesis Winner at Bond University. I hold a Bachelor of Business and Master of International Relations from Griffith University. I am also a former reporter for the Samoa Observer and hold a Chief title from Lepa, Samoa.
Abstract:
Fa'a Saymore from promised land to dreamland. Perceptions of Fa'a Samoa by New Zealand born Samoans who reside in Brisbane, Australia
The constant navigating of the “in-between world”-from my local gym and lecture theatre to my Ie faitaga (Formal Samoan male attire) singing in my Samoan church choir-moving from western ways of interaction to Samoan ways of being is not without its trials. This “in-between world” becomes a ground for searching, observing and improving.
Cameron Costello – Plenary
Monday 25th March: 13.30 – 14.00
Bio: Cameron is a Quandamooka man from Moreton Bay off the coast of Brisbane.
Cameron is currently the CEO for the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation ‐ the Native Title Body for the native title determination over Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).
Abstract: Cultivating RESILIENCE; A Minjerribah perspective
In 2011 the Federal Court of Australia made two native title consent determinations recognising the Quandamooka People’s native title rights and interests over land and waters on and surrounding North Stradbroke Island. Come and hear stories of their remarkable resilience from Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation’s CEO Mr Cameron Costello.
Stephanie Donigi – Plenary
Monday 25th March: 14.50 – 15.10
Bio:
Stephanie Donigi is from Poiam Village, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea and Australia. She is the descendant of a long line of Sepik Chiefs and a First Fleeter. She is a daughter, sister, wife, mother and Senior Designer at Architectus in Brisbane. She has worked in the architecture industry in Australia and across the Pacific for almost 20 years and was the Project Architect on a number of Australian Institute ofArchitects award winning buildings.
Abstract:
Revitalization of a Cultural Heart: The Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery Refurbishment
Architectus recently completed a refurbishment of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery. This presentation will introduce the museum staff and refurbished spaces through a series of photographs to illustrate how the power of mutually respectful collaboration lead to the stunning end result.