Pātaka Art+Museum Unveils ‘ungeographic’ Exhibition by Jasmine Togo-Brisby

Pātaka Art+Museum in Porirua, New Zealand, has launched a significant exhibition and accompanying book titled ungeographic, showcasing the work of Australian South Sea Island artist Jasmine Togo-Brisby. This exhibition runs until November 9, 2023, and highlights Togo-Brisby’s journey as an artist, focusing on her unique cultural heritage and artistic explorations.

Australian South Sea Islanders are the descendants of individuals brought to Australia between 1847 and 1904 as indentured labourers. These individuals primarily worked in Queensland’s sugar and cotton plantations. The exhibition, curated by Ioana Gordon-Smith, aims to address the historical narratives surrounding this community and their contributions to Australian culture.

Returning to Roots

In a recent conversation with Gordon-Smith for The Post, Togo-Brisby expressed her excitement about returning to Wellington and the significance of exhibiting at Pātaka. “The younger me, who worked at a jewellery store in the Porirua mall for four years, could never have anticipated having this exhibition,” she reflected.

Togo-Brisby’s artwork has gained international recognition, having been featured in prominent events such as the Asia Pacific Triennial in Queensland, the Bangkok Art Biennale, and the Busan Biennale in South Korea. When asked about showcasing her work at Pātaka, she remarked, “When you asked me, it just felt right – like one of those full circle moments.”

Artistic Reflections and Conversations

The exhibition features Togo-Brisby’s earliest work, Bitter Sweet, created in 2015 during her time at the Queensland College of Art. Togo-Brisby noted that seeing her works together for the first time illuminates her ongoing thought process: “Back then, I just didn’t have the language or confidence to push back against the institutions and advocate for myself and my work.”

Among the standout pieces in the exhibition are Ceiling Centre, a wall-hung plaster work, and As Above So Below, an immersive spatial installation. Togo-Brisby explained that both works articulate similar methodologies regarding space and ornamentation, creating a dialogue that enhances viewer understanding. “If a visitor doesn’t quite understand one of these works on its own, having the two of them echoing back and forth brings forward other facets,” she said.

Togo-Brisby aims for her art to evoke emotional responses, whether joy, sadness, guilt, or anger. “I can’t control what they feel, all I know is that I want them to feel something,” she stated. The artist hopes that visitors will engage with their emotions and reflect on the reasons behind their feelings.

As for future projects, Togo-Brisby mentioned her involvement in a five-year research initiative alongside German and Australian academics and curators. This project will examine the histories of Anglo and German plantations in the Western Pacific, further contributing to the discourse on colonial histories.

The ungeographic exhibition at Pātaka Art+Museum not only showcases Togo-Brisby’s artistic evolution but also calls attention to the broader narratives of Australian South Sea Islanders, making it a significant cultural event in New Zealand’s art landscape.