Justice for Rabi. The Story of Banaba.
Justice for Rabi. The Story of Banaba was a powerful exhibit that took place in Auckland in 2023, as well as being supported by a virtual exhibit to increase access and to preserve the stories being told.
The Story of Banaba
The exhibition comprised recorded interviews by Artivist in Residence, Katja Phutaraksa Neef with Banaban elders on Rabi Island which accompanied photo portraits, original artworks, and works from a number of Banaban artists and creatives.
The exhibit was held for three weeks at Silo 6 on the Auckland waterfront, and included a special event with performances by a visiting Rabi delegation. All of the works and recordings were then catalogued in the form of a virtual exhibit for the world to see. The launch of the virtual exhibition corresponded with UN International Day for the World’s Indigenous People.
The exhibition connected the human rights issues facing the Banaban community to new audiences via the best communicator - art. The visual art, performance, and storytelling in this project drew from the lived experiences and stories passed down from the Banaban community as a trusted source.
The exhibit also drew the connection between the forced displacement of the Banaban people and the realities of climate-induced displacement facing frontline communities in the Pacific.
