Pacific artist's work in Paralympics exhibit

The Paralympics in Paris have ended with New Zealand and six Pacific island nations represented by a 38-strong contingent.

While the 13 Pacific athletes returned home without a medal, Team NZ finished in 51st place - out of 79 winners - with nine medals (1 gold, 4 silver, and 4 bronze).

Oceania was also represented in Paris by two artists at the Art Para, Shine Together last week, an exhibition that celebrated artists with disabilities.

The works of lone Pasifika artist Ululau Ama from West Auckland and fellow Kiwi Matthew Allerby were showcased under the Team NZ banner at the OECD Headquarters Gallery in the French capital.

However, a health condition meant Ama could not travel to Paris. But he said the interest and support he received in his artwork inspired him to create more.

Ululau Ama at work. Photo/supplied

Ama, "the next Fatu Feu’u of Pacific art", is no stranger to the creative arts, having been recognised for his sales, commissions, and awards. Three of his paintings and two of Allerby's were on display in Paris.

In 2022, Ama received the Toa Award for Pacific Arts from Creative New Zealand. The award recognised the contribution of a Pasifika-disabled artist nationally or globally.

Ama's a member of the Tōfā Mamao Collective and connects to his Sāmoan community in West Auckland, his mother Nunu says.

Art is how he communicates, with his works figurative, textural, and expressionistic.

Nunu says the colours Ama uses reference what is going on around her son, of a shirt, the sea, and the people, they are constantly changing.

Nunu says when Ama was told that he was the only Pacific artist in the exhibition, "he was curious, excited, and very happy.

"Ululau loves to see his artwork exhibited and on show. Ululau takes great pleasure in others’ appreciation of his artworks,” she says.

“Ululau loves to meet people and talk about his artworks, loving to see people take his paintings away.

Ululau Ama and mother Nunu. At right is one of three paintings he created that was displayed in Paris. Photo/supplied

"To him, it is not the money from the sales that makes him happy, but the joy it brings to both the viewer and him.”

The 2024 Venz Illuminer Art Para featured artworks from 27 countries with Aotearoa represented for the first time.

New Zealand's involvement in Art Para Shine Together was coordinated by Māpura Studios, one of the country’s disability arts organisations.

Mãpura Studios director, Diana McPherson, represented the Oceania region and presented a paper to a world disability arts leaders forum in Paris on the current status and direction of disability arts in New Zealand.

McPherson said she hoped her message opened doors for disabled artists in Aotearoa to showcase their works on the world stage.

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our artists, our studio, and the future of disability art everywhere."

The 2024 Paris Paralympics ended on Monday with China finishing first ahead of Great Britain and the United States.

Six Pacific Island nations competed at the Paris Paralympics. Photo/Oceania Paralympics