Kahoa Kakala is a solo exhibition by Māngere based artist Sione Monu, which builds on his experimental work with nimamea’a tuikakala, or the Tongan fine art of flower designing using the form of kahoa or Tongan garlands.

Weaving connections between place, people and the different environments in which he works, Monu’s exhibition brings his expanded family and aspects of the spiritual and ecological contexts of art-making in Tonga and Tāmaki Makaurau together in this ongoing series.

Kahoa Kakala will create space for workshops and talanoa in relation to nimamea’a tuikakala. Monu will share insights from his practice of the Tongan fine art in a special Kahoa and Floral Portrait Workshop on Saturday 17 February from 11.30am.

Materials for making your own kahoa will be provided, and participants are also welcome to bring their own choice of flowers or materials from their own gardens. Entry is by koha and spaces are limited, so booking is essential.

Sione Monu is an artist of Tongan descent who works across the mediums of photography, moving image, fashion and adornment, performance and drawing. Sione is a contributing member of the art collectives FAFSWAG and WITCH BITCH.