The University of Fiji’s Suva Central campus recently hosted an exhibition that brought together a broad cross-section of contemporary local art, showcasing experimental textures, immersive concepts and visual storytelling that interrogate identity, space and femininity. Organisers billed the show as more than a display of objects, presenting it instead as a forum for ideas and a challenge to conventional ways of thinking about art and education.
Vice‑Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem used the opening to underline the institution’s commitment to the arts as integral to a rounded university experience. “Art allows us to question, to reimagine and to create meaning beyond the limitations of traditional academic frameworks,” Prof Shameem said, adding that the exhibition was “not just about art, but about ideas, identity and the courage to challenge established narratives.” Her remarks framed the event as part of a broader push within the university to place creative practice alongside teaching and research.
The exhibition was officially opened by retired academic and practising artist Jane Ricketts, who spoke about the importance of recognising and nurturing artistic talent. Ricketts emphasised the need for sustained support for artists at all stages of their careers and highlighted the role that university galleries and campus exhibitions can play in developing local creative communities.
A diverse roster of local artists took part in the show. Featured artists included Almanda Dutt, Erica Sing, Stephanie Wise Dutt, Georgia Gremore, Vindhya Fernando, Nelum Neranjli, Rashmi Ahalawat, Hefrani Barnes, Mere Rasue and Tupou Raikoso. Their works — described by organisers as ranging from tactile, texture‑rich pieces to conceptual installations — explored personal and collective identities, the uses and meanings of space, and the layered experiences of femininity in contemporary Fiji.
The exhibition also provided space for supporting and emerging makers, with contributions from Anare Somumu, Joshua Toganivalu, Jeke Lagi, Krishan Prasad and Mason James Lee. The inclusion of both established and up‑and‑coming practitioners underlined the university’s intention to showcase a breadth of voices and to foster intergenerational dialogue within the arts community.
While work in the show varied in medium and approach, organisers highlighted its shared emphasis on storytelling and lived experience — visual methods used to surface perspectives that mainstream narratives often overlook. By situating the exhibition on a central campus, the University of Fiji made these conversations accessible to students, faculty and the public, reinforcing the institution’s view that creative practice is an essential component of civic and intellectual life.
The exhibition follows a growing number of campus and gallery initiatives in Suva that place contemporary Pacific concerns at the centre of artistic practice. For the participating artists, the show offered both a platform to present recent work and an opportunity to engage directly with audiences in an academic setting that Prof Shameem and guest speakers described as increasingly receptive to experimental and critical art forms.
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