Spilt Milk (and hard honey)

Spilt Milk (and hard honey) is a group exhibition, presented at Westspace in Melbourne, curated by and featuring the artwork of those of Pasifika hertiage that reside in Aotearoa and Australia. 

For some of the artists involved, this will be the first time they have shown their work outside of their Country or City and for the curator this is a celebratory project that deepens the Trans Tasman relationship between Pasifika artists. 

This project funding is specifically for the Aotearoa based artists.

Artists involved: 

• Etanah Lalau-Talapā (Samoa)
• Jimmy Ma’ia’i (Samoa, Scotland)
• Axel Iva (Samoa)
• Manu Vaea (Tonga)
• Leitu Bonnici (Samoa, based in Australia)
• Benjamin Akuila (Tonga, Ireland based in Australia)
• Emily Greenwood (Tonga based in Australia)

Curator: Talia Smith (Cook Islands, Samoa, Pakeha)

The funds raised are specifically for the four Aotearoa based artists, they will receive an equal amount that is a contribution to:

• Freight for their work to get to Melbourne, Australia
• Flights and accommodation for the artists to attend the opening of the exhibition 

The gallery will cover:

• Artist fee
• Any associated public programming fee
• Documentation of the exhibition
• Install support
• Marketing support 

‘The land of milk and honey’ originally a biblical phrase, was used in the 1960’s and 70’s to describe Aotearoa and Australia as lands of abundance for Pasifika people who migrated from their homelands. The reality however was much different to the empty promises offered with Pasifika communities still feeling the effects over 30 years later. 

The group exhibition Spilt Milk (and hard honey) invites a group of artists whose practices have been cultivated in these ‘abundant’ lands and takes the aforementioned phrase almost as a challenge. These artists are not afraid of who they are, rather than struggle with feelings of being ‘less than’ they embrace their culture and connections to firmly state that Pasifika people will persevere no matter what history tells us. 

This exhibition runs from 13 June 2026 - 8 August 2026.

International opportunities for Aotearoa based artists are crucial for their professional development. It allows for the artists to see their works contextualised in a different setting with a new audience that may not be aware of their work. Exhibiting work can lead to futher opportunities whether that is work related or a connection with another Pasifika heritage aritst. 

It is key that these artists are able to physically be in Melbourne for the last part of the install and then the opening to celebrate their achievements and also be able to speak directly to their work. 

At the core of my curatorial practice is to uplift and support Pasifika artists however I can and wherever I may be based. I am thrilled to work with this insanely talented group of artists to keep pushing the exposure and knowledge of what Pasifika art can be today.