Tahiti Tourisme is supporting the Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao exhibition which was launched at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra yesterday, 27 June, attended by the Vice President of Tahiti, Eliane Tevahitua, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attending the festivities.
The exhibition, open to the public from tomorrow, 29 June to 7 October 2024, it embodies a rich collaboration between The Islands of Tahiti and the artworks of the late artist Paul Gauguin.
French artist Gauguin first sailed Tahiti in 1891 in search of inspiration. Along with the idyllic landscapes, he found a deep connection with the inviting spirit of the local Polynesians, drawing inspiration from the landscape and culture. He later relocated to the more remote Marquesas Islands in September 1901, where he purchased land and built a home. Gauguin died on May 8, 1903, and was buried on the island of Hiva Oa.
Hiva Oa, known as ‘The Garden of The Marquesas Islands’, is the third-largest island in French Polynesia. The island offers a wide range of activities, including beautiful black sand beaches, hiking in mountains and valleys, visiting museums including the Centre Culturel Paul Gauguin, and exploring historical sites, including Calvaire cemetery, where Paul Gauguin is laid to rest.
Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao presents a unique opportunity to explore the enduring artistry of French Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin. Featuring some of his most iconic masterpieces, many inspired by his time in the Pacific region, the exhibition provides new perspectives on Gauguin’s life and work, his artistic influences and networks, as well as his historical impact and contemporary legacies.
National Gallery of Australia’s curator Henri Loyrette’s 2023 visit to Tahiti paved the way for significant Tahitian Government support. This includes generous lending to the exhibition, contributions from Tahitian scholars to the catalogue and symposium, and the vice president including her delegation will be representing her country at the official opening, with a 10-member dance troupe at the opening festivities.
Feature image: The Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (centre) with his partner Jodie Haydon and officials at the opening.
