Makatuliki/Cornerstone

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila is an award-winning performance artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Born in Tonga, ‘Uhila’s art practice centres on live performance, in which the expression of his ideas take place, unrehearsed, in gallery spaces and other locations outside of a traditional theatre environment. 'Uhila returns to The Performance Arcade in 2021 for a performance of his new work, Makatuliki/Cornerstone, on the opening evening of the Arcade.

Referencing Marae Taputapuatea and the interlinked concepts of whenua & whakapapa, as well as the use of stone platforms across the Pacific for the presentation of bodies - The artist stacks river rocks to create a platform, upon which he lies. Over the course of the performance he offers the rocks to passers-by until this structure disappears. 'Uhila will subsequently perform Makatuliki/Cornerstone in the exhibition Prophetic Visions, curated by Dilohana Lekamge, on the 19th Feb 2021.