Jasmine Togo-Brisby Showcases Artistry in New Exhibition at Pātaka

The Pātaka Art+Museum in Porirua recently unveiled an exhibition and accompanying book titled ungeographic, highlighting the work of Australian South Sea Island artist Jasmine Togo-Brisby. This initiative celebrates the heritage of Australian South Sea Islanders, who are descendants of individuals brought to Australia as indentured laborers between 1847 and 1904. The exhibition runs until November 9, 2023 and aims to raise awareness of this often-overlooked history.

The exhibition is curated by Ioana Gordon-Smith, who expressed her enthusiasm for Togo-Brisby’s return to Wellington. The artist, who previously showcased her work at Te Uru in Auckland in 2016, reflects on her career and the significance of this mid-career survey. During an interview, she noted the importance of the venue and the exhibition’s theme, stating, “It just felt right – like one of those full circle moments.”

Togo-Brisby’s journey back to Porirua holds personal significance. She reminisced about her time working at a jewellery store in a local mall, a period when she could not have imagined the success she has achieved today. This exhibition presents a collection of her artworks, allowing viewers to explore her creative evolution.

The exhibition features early works, including Bitter Sweet, created in 2015 while Togo-Brisby was studying at Queensland College of Art. She remarked on the realization that her creative thought process remains consistent over the years, even as she gained the confidence to advocate for herself in the art world.

Among the standout pieces in ungeographic are Ceiling Centre, a plaster artwork resembling a ceiling rosette, and As Above So Below, an immersive spatial installation. Togo-Brisby highlighted how these two pieces interact within the exhibition, saying, “If a visitor doesn’t quite understand one of these works on its own, having the two of them echoing back and forth to each other brings forward other facets.” This interplay reflects a kind of “mapping” that resonates throughout the exhibition.

Through her work, Togo-Brisby aims to create space for South Sea Islanders and stimulate dialogue surrounding the Pacific slave trade. She employs architectural elements, such as lighting, to evoke emotional responses from viewers, ranging from joy to sadness. “I want them to feel something,” she explained, emphasizing her hope that visitors engage deeply with their emotions and reflect on their origins.

Looking ahead, Togo-Brisby is set to embark on a five-year research project involving collaborations with academics and curators from Germany and Australia. The focus will be on exploring the histories of Anglo and German plantations in the Western Pacific.

The ungeographic exhibition at Pātaka offers a compelling glimpse into Togo-Brisby’s artistic journey and the broader narratives of Australian South Sea Islanders. As it continues to run until early November, it invites audiences to engage with the powerful intersections of art, history, and identity.