Congratulations to John Vea (School of Creative and Digital Arts) on the opening of his exhibition, Ini Mini Mani Mou, at Te Puna o Waiwhetū | Christchurch Art Gallery. It is running
until 13 July 2025, and I would highly recommend a visit.
This summary is from the Te Puna oWaiwhetū website (John Vea: Ini Mini Mani Mou | Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o
Waiwhetū):
Powerful new work examining the complexities of the immigration process in Aotearoa New Zealand. This exhibition by Ōtautahi Christchurch-based artist John Vea (Tonga, Aotearoa New
Zealand) explores the complexities of life in Aotearoa for Pacific migrants. With his characteristic sense of humour, Vea has created a series of impossible or futile games.
Together they point to the challenges and barriers of the often bureaucratic immigration processes that they must navigate in order to come to Aotearoa to live or work. Vea
highlights the tension between the perceived value and opportunities provided by residency in Aotearoa, and the realities of labour, acclimatisation and leaving home.
