About Vasemaca (FKA Ema)

Vasemaca (FKA Ema) Tavola is a Fijian artist-curator currently based in South Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand. Tavola’s practice is aligned with the politics of decolonisation and indigenous feminisms, motherhood, and histories of BIPOC art and activism in the Global South. She established her painting practice in Suva, Fiji before relocating to South Auckland where she studied sculpture and arts management, and is currently undertaking postgraduate research in applied indigenous knowledge.

Tavola was the founding curator of Fresh Gallery Ōtara and has produced curatorial projects for galleries and museums throughout Aotearoa. She was the first curator awarded the Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Award for Contemporary Pacific Art ( 12), contributed to the curatorium of the 4th International Biennial of Casablanca ( 18) and has travelled extensively speaking on her approach to indigenous curatorial practice. Since 19, she has operated Vunilagi Vou, a shapeshifting gallery,...