Profile
Tunakaimanu Fielakepa is a textile artist and cultural historian based in Tonga. Her practice centers on reviving and preserving traditional Polynesian textile arts, particularly the crafting of 'Tapa' cloth, which plays a pivotal role in Tongan ceremonies and rituals. Fielakepa's work delved into the themes of heritage, identity, and the transmission of ancestral knowledge through art, making substantial contributions to the cultural preservation of Tonga.Her acclaimed projects include "The Legacy of Tapa," which was exhibited internationally in museums such as the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. and the Te Papa in Wellington. This exhibition traced the historical and cultural significance of Tapa cloth across Polynesia, earning her numerous accolades.
