Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival Symposium
In 2013 and 2014, Torika coordinated the CPAF Symposium - an annual event that forms part of the Contemporary Pacific Arts Festival program at the Footscray Community Arts Centre.
Torika curated multiple panels to extend the discourse around contemporary Pacific arts practice in Australia and invited speakers to reflect on themes such as art and activism, museums, collecting and curating, cultural appropriation and contemporary practice. She also produced the symposium publication Mana Motu (2013/14).
The Symposium brought together creative practitioners, community elders, students, academics and arts industry professionals whose work engages with the contemporary Pacific in a one-day symposium on the banks of the Maribyrnong river. Presentations were drawn from a variety of disciplines and perspectives to ensure lively and focused discussion on issues relevant to contemporary Pacific arts practice in an Australian context.
In 2014 the Symposium was attended by Pacific community elders, youth, contemporary Pacific artists and individuals from institutions including the Ian Potter Museum of Art, National Gallery of Australia, Monash University, University of Melbourne, Multicultural Arts Victoria, Kultour, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum, Deakin University, Australian Museum, Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Victoria, Victoria University, Barkly Arts Centre, ABC Radio Australia, PBS Radio, Burrinja Arts and AAAPS.
2014 speakers
Ruth McDougall, Dion Peita, Lisa Hilli, Michael Kisombo, JD Mittman, Yvonne Carrillo-Huffman, Thelma Thomas, Lea Rumwaropen, Taloi Havini, Mandy Treagus, Julia Mageau Gray, Angela Tiatia, Salote Tawale, Seini Taumoepeau, Keren Ruki, Rita Seumanutafa Gale, Latai Taumoepeau and Grace Vanilau.
Chairs: Dion Peita, Jacob Tolo, Lia Pa'apa'a, Torika Bolatagici.
2013 speakers
Nic Maclellan, Ronny Kareni, Natalie Pa'apa'a, Carlo Santone, Sana Balai, Lisa Hilli, Thelma Thomas, Taloi Havini, Léuli Eshraghi, Kirsten Lyttle, Jacob Tolo and Maryann Talia Pau.
Chairs: Lia Pa'apa'a, Namila Benson, Torika Bolatagici.