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ASIA: Art Stories in Aotearoa

22m

18 Asian-New Zealand artists reflect on how life in Aotearoa informs their creative work and sense of identity in this short documentary series.

Made with the support of NZ On Air

6 episodes

Fine Arts

We meet three fine artists whose work transcends gallery walls: sculptor Yona Lee, interdisciplinary artist Yuki Kihara, and painter Simon Kaan.
Episode 1
22m

Multi-Media

We meet three diverse multi-media artists: Seung Yul Oh, Claudia Kogachi, and Charles Buenconsejo.
Episode 2
22m

Music

We meet a diverse group of musicians: hip-hop artist Hanju Kim (aka hans.), synth-pop duo Imugi, pop singer Satta Vairowalia, and double bass player Umar Zakaria.
Episode 3
22m

Dance

We meet three dancers: ballet star Xin Ji, K-pop (Korean pop) choreographer Rina Chae, and Indian-New Zealand performer and dance teacher Swaroopa Prameela Unni.
Episode 4
22m

Theatre

We meet three theatre practitioners bringing diverse narratives to our stages: Sarita So, Ahi Karunaharan, and Sananda Chatterjee.
Episode 5
23m

Design

We meet three designers using their creativity to make a statement: graffiti artist Bobby Hung, installation artist Kerry Ann Lee, and fashion designer Natasha Ovely.
Episode 6
22m

Trailers & bonus video

Trailer

Kadambari Raghukumar profiles 18 diverse Asian-origin NZ artists working in fine arts, music, dance, theatre, multimedia and design.
1m

Produced by

Diva Productions partner logo for use on dark background

Made with the support of

Partner Logo for NZ on Air for use on dark background

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Video section home

A man wearing a kākahu (clothing garment) and holding a hīrau (waka paddle). Text reads, "Te Kawau ki Tai. The Story of a Waka".
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The back of someone looking up at a big red firework exploding in the night sky. Text reads, "Giants Giants Giants". The last "Giants" fades into the background.
A group of people performing a haka outside amongst the trees. The person at the front is in focus and doing a pukana. Text reads, "NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka".
Woman looking into the camera, standing side on. She has a staunch expression and Is wearing a bright pink blouse. Text reads, "Breaking Silence". Text and woman stand against a dark, almost black background.
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A man in traditional Māori dress and a full face tā moko is standing in the forest. He is holding a wooden pole object. Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau".
A woman sitting on a chair next to a desk and coffee table. She's smiling at the camera. Text reads, "Aotearoa's Most Bizarre Conspiracies".
A bagpipe band stand in a field ready to perform. The text reads: "12,000 Miles from NZ to the Green."
A birds'-eye view of some military items sitting scattered on a desk, including a map, a hat, playing cards, and a couple of coins. The text in the middle reads "Back to Timor."
Text reads, "Mata Reports". It sits on a dark grey background. Along the top of the image is a kōwhaiwhai pattern.
A two dimensional Illustration of a screen showing DNA shapes in front a conveyor belt with kākāpō on it. Text reads, "What if...? Genomics in Aotearoa".
Dark purple background with text, "Art Stories in Aotearoa".
A man standing in front of a mural of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag (Māori flag). Text reads, "Hori on a Hīkoi".
The side profile of a man holding a guitar with a microphone on a stand in front of him. Text reads, "Legacy: Katchafire" and has a boarder around the perimeter of the frame.
Three figures from different original images have been edited so that they're all standing next to each other and are of varying sizes. All three people are in the midst of performing. The background in a flat bright red colour. Text in the style of graffiti reads, "The Collective". A spray painted illustration of a crown appears above the 'e' in 'Collective'.
Black and white faces of Helen Clark, Dame Jenny Shipley, Jim Bolger Geoffrey Palmer and Mike Moore, with the words 'The 9th Floor' underneath them. The background of the image is black.
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An archival picture of a group of Pacific Islanders posing for a group picture. The text reads "Untold Pacific History"
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