Tungane Broadbent is a Cook Islands artist of international acclaim.

Her phenomenal ‘Tivaevae’ work was selected for exhibition at the Asia Pacific Triennial, APT5, 2006/07 at the Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art.

On a trip to Rarotonga in 2005, APT curator Maud Paige was referred to Broadbent and, following a successful meeting, a work was commissioned. The full size Tairiiri Tivaevae featuring an intricate ‘fan’ pattern was subsequently purchased for the permanent collection of the Queensland Art Gallery.

Tivaevae is a Cook Islands contemporary art form with substantial foundations, documenting the history of a pacific nation since the time of the first European contact.  Originally thought to have been introduced by the wives of Missionaries & Catholic Nuns, the technique of quilting was readily adopted and ‘converted’ to a uniquely Cook Islands methodology.

‘I grew up with it’ laughs Tungane, in a recent interview. ‘Our mothers did it, it becomes part of you’

Born in 1940 on the southern group Island of Mangaia, Tungane Broadbent is a living embodiment of the art form.  Tivaevae are an essential feature in Cook Islands ceremony, prepared for all types of occasion, in particular weddings. Tungane helped produce two large Tivaevae for the momentous occasion; they served to demonstrate that the bride was a woman of substance and skill, seen by all as a valued member of her community, emblematic of a transition from youth to adulthood.

Prominently displayed at the marriage ceremony, stories were related about the creation of the special Tivaevae, a bonding experience for two merging families.  Stunning Hibiscus and Tiare Maori flower patterns featured on the colourful Tivaevae as did the intricate patterns of breadfruit leaves.

‘But that was a long time ago’ the artist smiles.

However, time is indeed relative and it was not until a ‘mind power’ seminar by John Kehoe while living in Auckland in the early eighties that Broadbent decided that ‘Tivaevae’ were indeed her passion and that she would dedicate a lifetime to the extraordinary art practice.

The day after that fateful seminar concluded, Broadbent found herself at ‘Fare Pareu’ in Otahuhu with a large order of material. ‘I didn’t go to school that day’ Tungane declares with a radiant smile. The then primary school teacher decided that at least on that Monday, her re- discovered passion would take priority.

Word quickly spread within the Auckland, Cook Islands community, ‘I would cut, back and tack a lot of Tivaevae for women to sew’ she states. The preparation time for Tivaevae production is a time consuming process and Broadbent’s ‘advance’ work for other Tivaevae sewers became exceptionally popular.  In addition Broadbent fully produced Tivaevae in all of its forms, Manu (two tone Tivaevae, usually with patterns of flowers and leaves)), Tataura (embroidery and appliqué) and Taorei (the famous ‘squares’) Tivaevae.

Retiring from teaching in Auckland in 2000, Broadbent returned to Rarotonga shortly thereafter but her lifelong passion for Tivaevae continues, highlighted by her selection for APT5. Broadbent is one of few Cook Islands artists* ever to be selected for such an acknowledged international contemporary art exhibition.

You can still discover the magic of Tungane Broadbent’s Tivaevae at “Mainly Tivaevae’, Punanganui Markets in Avarua. ‘Tourists ask for them’ she says, ‘especially the Tivaevae Manu’.

However, the art of Tivaevae is no longer common amongst Cook Islands family traditions. A consequence of the demanding modern lifestyle and the changing role of women in the community, the labourious hand sewn Tivaevae of old are fast disappearing along with the knowledge and skills used to create them. In response, Broadbent founded the O’oa Fabric & Fibre Arts group in 2007, where a primary focus is to teach women to sew Tivaevae.  
Broadbent speaks passionately to this point, ‘It’s important to keep the culture of Tivaevae alive, its part of our identity as Cook Islanders’.

Broadbent is in good company. There is now broad international acknowledgment of textile art as a primary source of pacific cultural knowledge. In the Cook Islands, Tivaevae deliver essential social narrative and are fundamental to contemporary artistic expression.

* Cook Islands Tivaevae work also selected for APT5 were those by Tekauvai Teariki Monga (1900-61) and Tapaeru Williams. All works, collection QAG/ Broadbent’s work featured in a Tivaevae Show curated by Janet Dearlove, December 2010 at Beachcomber Contemporary Art (BCA).

Ben Bergman/ESCAPE MAgazine