Tahitian Dance Performance: O Tahiti E
Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao
Marguerite Lai, founder and director of O Tahiti E. Image courtesy of Marguerite Lai.
Free, bookings essential
Duration: 60 minutes
Join dancers and musicians from O Tahiti E for a performance inspired by Paul Gauguin’s paintings. Founded in 1986, Oh Tahiti E is one of the oldest dance groups in French Polynesia. Their performance at the National Gallery will premiere a series of vignettes inspired by works on display in Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao, choreographed by the group’s founder, Mrs. Marguerite Lai.
O Tahiti E is named after the original name of Tahiti or ‘Otaiti’, used on early navigation charts to describe the island of Tahiti. Under the direction of choreographer and dancer Marguerite Lai, the group has won the prestigious Heiva i Tahiti on multiple occassions - the oldest and most important traditional dance competition in Polynesia - with performances such as ‘Te Pakerere’ in 1999, ‘Te Muhu a Fenua’ in 2005, ‘Te Iho Ora’ in 2009, ‘Te Tapuni' in 2012 and ‘Tahiti Ata Ata Noa’ in 2016.
This program is Auslan interpreted for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Please contact access@nga.gov.au or +61 2 6240 6632 if you require further information or assistance.
Gauguin’s World: Tōna Iho, Tōna Ao is on display at the National Gallery from 29 Jun – 7 Oct 2024.
SaVĀge K’lub is on display at the National Gallery from 29 Jun – 7 Oct 2024.
