'Plastic and synthetic materials have been used by Tongan communities in the diaspora to create their traditional crafts and adornments when the natural, fresh, colourful materials they have in the islands weren't available. From early in my practice, I would use what florals I'd have in my surrounding environment and experiment with different mediums. My current practice isn't any traditional way of making but is very much inspired by that traditional art form.'
Sione Monū (they/them) is an artist of the Tongan diaspora. They live between Canberra Australia and Auckland and work across the mediums of photography, moving-image, fashion and adornment, performance and drawing exploring identity, family and Pasifika queer experience in the diaspora.
Recent exhibitions include Stories, City Gallery Wellington Te Whare Toi, 2023; Queer Encounters, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Warrane Sydney, 2023; Kindred: A Leitī Chronicle (w/ Manu Vaeatangitau), Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2022; Declaration: A Pacific Feminist Agenda, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 2022; 'Ao Kakala Ōtautahi, SCAPE Public Art Season 2021, Ōtautahi Christchurch, 2021, and Leitī, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts, 2021.