The phrase “Every cloud has a silver lining” is truly embodied in the life of Mele Nabola. During the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, she discovered her hidden talent and passion for painting.
Earlier this week, The Sunday Times met with Mele, who shared her enthusiasm for her role as a public health worker and how she employs her artistic skills to raise awareness on important social issues, particularly climate change.
At 26 years old, Mele comes from the village of Muaira on Naviti Island in the Yasawa Group, with maternal ties to Yanuca Island in Serua province. She is the eldest of four siblings. Following her graduation from St Joseph’s Secondary School in Suva, she enrolled in a Bachelor of Public Health program at Fiji National University, where she graduated in 2021 and currently works in the research department of FNU’s College of Medicine and Nursing.
“I chose public health because I realized I’m better suited for fieldwork than an office setting,” she explained. Mele expressed her passion for community engagement through health awareness and surveys, highlighting her commitment to serving society.
Among the causes she actively supports is reproductive health, addressing the rise in teenage pregnancies and increasing HIV and STI cases in the country that adversely affect youth. “I want to raise more awareness on these issues in my public health career and promote family planning and contraceptive use. It’s important to communicate to young people that these topics shouldn’t be uncomfortable, so they can make informed decisions for their future.”
Art became a natural outlet for Mele, influenced by her father, Apete Nabola, who is also a painter. “Growing up, I always saw him create beautiful images.” When the pandemic struck in 2019, she found her father’s old paints while stuck at home and began experimenting with painting.
As she shared her artwork online, her friends and family encouraged her to continue. “I started painting more and developing my style with pencils and crayons to refine my craft.”
Mele’s talent caught the attention of Solomone Rabuli, founder of Selfless Fiji, a non-profit organization. “In 2021, I joined Selfless Fiji and engaged in volunteer work, including painting murals in elderly care homes and orphanages,” she noted. This collaboration gave Mele an opportunity to learn from other artists and understand how art can inspire change.
Recently, she participated in a project with a team that created a mural at Greenhouse CoWorking in Suva, aimed at promoting sustainable development, initiated by the French Development Agency. She explained, “I learned about the ‘Art for Change’ initiative from fellow artist Regina Vaka’uta.”
Working alongside experienced artists like Jack Eastgate, Mele gained valuable insights on conveying messages through art about conservation, climate change, and biodiversity. The mural they created features elements like traditional homes with solar panels and a market scene highlighting clean energy.
Mele acknowledged that transitioning from canvas painting to mural work was challenging but rewarding. “I’ve never had formal art training, so collaborating with Jack pushed my skills further and made me expect more from myself.”
She emphasizes that one’s true talents are often uncovered through introspection, stating, “Since discovering my passion for painting, it has brought me joy and pride. Selling my artwork provided financial support for my education and helped my family.”
Mele sees art as a potential full-time career and advocates for incorporating art, craft, and music into Fiji’s education curriculum as mandatory subjects. “If the government embraces this, it will create a platform for youth entrepreneurship and allow individuals to explore their talents.”
Her message to the youth is one of diligence and accountability: “Always keep your family’s expectations in mind and strive to make them proud. Hard work and dedication are essential to overcoming obstacles. Set your goals and remain passionate.”