The Taitung County Government, under the name "South Island Ripple Art," hosted a series of international exchange activities, notably inviting New Zealand-Tongan artist Tui Emma Gillies to hold a "Bark Cloth Workshop" at the Dulan New East Sugar Factory. This event aimed to promote Taitung’s craft and foster international exchange with Austronesian countries, while also providing participants with an in-depth understanding of the traditional Tongan bark cloth culture and its production methods.
Li Ji-Chong, Director of the Cultural Affairs Department of Taitung County Government, mentioned that the workshop received an enthusiastic response, reflecting the high level of interest among Taitung residents in Austronesian culture and bark cloth craft. During the workshop, Tui guided participants in using century-old tools, such as the tutu (beating stick) and kupesi (design template), to beat and print bark cloth, allowing them to experience the most traditional methods of Tongan production.
Participants learned that not only is the process of making bark cloth complex, but the cultural value behind it is also incredibly precious. The ability to take home their hand-painted bark cloth at the end of the event left every participant with a great sense of accomplishment. Tui also shared the challenges currently facing the production of Tongan bark cloth, particularly the trend of replacing traditional bark cloth with plastic alternatives, which reduces the durability of the cloth and diminishes its artisanal value.
During her residency, Tui visited the Dulan tribe’s national treasure, Elder Chief Shen Taimu (Grandpa Panay), and was impressed by his creativity and techniques in turning bark into various cultural and creative products. Tui demonstrated the traditional Tongan technique of beating bark and was fascinated by local artist Siki Sufin’s method of using a hammer to extract bark from wood, reflecting both the similarities and differences in bark crafts between Taitung and Tonga.
Tui demonstrates the traditional Tongan techniques of beating and processing bark. (Photo / Courtesy of Taitung County Government)
Tui specially presented one of her bark cloth works to Grandpa Panay, expressing her admiration for his efforts in promoting bark cloth culture. She mentioned that her knowledge and skills in bark cloth craft were learned from her mother, Sulieti Fieme'a Burrows, and she hopes to return to Dulan in the future with her mother for more in-depth exchanges with Grandpa Panay.
Tui (first from the right) visits the Dulan tribe's national treasure, Chief Shen Taimu (Shen Taimu and his wife), during his residency at the open studio on Highway 11. (Photo / Courtesy of Taitung County Government)
The Cultural Affairs Department further explained that the "South Island Ripple Art" international exchange program has invited three Austronesian craft creators from Thailand, Singapore, and Tonga to Taitung for a residency this year. Additionally, the program has supported three local Taitung artists to participate in overseas residencies. A series of workshops and sharing sessions will be held during this period to promote vibrant contemporary Austronesian cultural dialogues. Tui will host a residency-sharing session on August 9 at the Taitung Design Center. Everyone is encouraged to follow the Taitung County Government Cultural Affairs Department and South Island Ripple Art Facebook pages for the latest event updates.
Published by: Cultural Promotion Section, Department of Cultural Affairs
Press Contacts: Section Chief Liao Xiao-Longsheng, Wang Hui-Yun
Contact Number: 089-350382
