Jasmine Togo-Brisby Showcases Artistry in New Exhibition ungeographic

The Pātaka Art+Museum in Porirua has unveiled a new exhibition titled ungeographic, dedicated to the works of Australian South Sea Island artist Jasmine Togo-Brisby. Alongside the exhibition, a book exploring her artistry has also been launched. Togo-Brisby, who has roots in the Australian South Sea Islanders, creates works that reflect the complex history of her heritage—descendants of individuals brought to Australia as indentured laborers between 1847 and 1904.

Lead curator Ioana Gordon-Smith expressed her excitement about the exhibition, highlighting its significance in Togo-Brisby’s career. The artist’s recent participation in high-profile events such as the Asia Pacific Triennial in Queensland and the Bangkok Art Biennale demonstrates her rising prominence in the art world. When asked why she chose Pātaka for this mid-career survey, Togo-Brisby reflected, “It just felt right—like one of those full circle moments.”

Returning to Wellington holds special meaning for Togo-Brisby, who once worked in a jewellery store in the Porirua mall. The exhibition allows her to present her body of work cohesively for the first time, showcasing pieces like Bitter Sweet, created in 2015 during her studies at Queensland College of Art. She noted that even after nearly a decade, her thought process remains consistent, though her confidence and language for advocating her work have evolved.

The exhibition features a variety of pieces that engage in dialogue with one another. Togo-Brisby highlighted two works, Ceiling Centre and As Above So Below. The former is a wall-hung plaster work resembling a ceiling rosette, while the latter is an immersive spatial installation. “It’s gratifying to see that if a visitor doesn’t quite understand one of these works on its own, having the two of them echoing back and forth brings forward other facets,” she explained. This interconnectedness amongst her works serves as a form of mapping, emphasizing the relationships between space and ornamentation.

Togo-Brisby aims for her work to create a space for dialogue surrounding South Sea Islanders and the broader context of global enslavement. She manipulates architectural elements, such as lighting, to evoke emotional responses in her audience. “I can’t control what they feel, but I want them to feel something,” she stated, reflecting on the diverse reactions her art has elicited, which range from delight to sadness and even anger. Her primary hope is that visitors engage with their emotions and consider the reasons behind them.

Looking ahead, Togo-Brisby has several upcoming projects in Australia, the UK, and Europe. Among them is a collaborative five-year research initiative involving German and Australian academics and curators that will investigate the histories of Anglo and German plantations in the Western Pacific.

The exhibition ungeographic will be on display at Pātaka until November 9, 2023, offering audiences the opportunity to engage deeply with Togo-Brisby’s work and the critical narratives it embodies.