Masi (Fijian tapa) titled "Masi"

Practice in the present

In this artwork titled Masi, Liviana reflects on the present-day practice of Vatulele islands tapa cloth adornment. While freehand painting was once prevalent, contemporary masi makers often favour intricate, standardised patterns achieved through personalised, hand-cut stencils. This technique allows for the creation of large complex designs that can be produced quickly to meet demand. Masi designs and techniques vary geographically across Fiji, reflecting unique traditions passed down through families and villages, with specific motifs designated for different purposes and uses.

In 2021, with the Te Papa Foundation’s support, Te Papa acquired a rare book of tapa cloth samples, one of many assembled by Alexander Shaw in 1787. The samples were cut from larger pieces of tapa collected on Captain Cook’s voyages to the Pacific (1768, 1772, 1776) and represent tapa-making practices from various islands including Hawai‘i, Tahiti and Tonga. While the books contain only fragments of much larger creations, they highlight the variety of textures and artistry attained through the practices, knowledge, and skills of Pacific peoples.

Held in Tahiti in 2023, 'Ahu: Ngā Wairua o Hina brought tapa makers of Tongan, Sāmoan, Niuean, Fijian, Hawaiian, Tahitian, Pitcairn-Norfolk Island, and Māori descent. Over five days this group worked together to re-establish their living relationships to the cloth held within the Alexander Shaw book. Through a process of wānanga this group of makers created two tapa bundles, incorporating the ideas of past, present, and future. Today, one of the bundles resides with Te Papa and the other with Te Fare Iamanaha-Musée de Tahiti et des Îles.