Joan Gragg: The Nuku

Bergman Gallery | Rarotonga
The Nuku
Joan Gragg
11 April – 02 May

Opening 6pm, Tuesday 11 April, all welcome.

For over 30 years, Joan Gragg has recorded how Cook Islanders live, how they move, congregate, play, sing and celebrate.

The Cook Islands Nuku Pageant is a distinct Cook Islands cultural experience, where traditional Bible stories are adapted, improvised and performed live by village church congregations. In true Cook Islands style, humour, reverence, home made costumes, modern props and island wit permeate a lively community performance unlike any other. Any subject can be the inspiration of a Nuku performance, from everyday local incidents to international events, legends, movies and music.

Humour and laughter are very close to the surface in the Cook Islands and are a central theme of this artist. Joan states, ‘ Humour in the Cook Islands rarely springs from malice or superiority, but tends to be inclusive and equalising. Exploring aspects of humour and place through Nuku has made me increasingly aware that the Cook Islands is a multi-cultural society and becoming more so every year. The integration of two traditions, recognition of the consequent incongruities and an acceptance of these incongruities is a distinctive feature of the Cook Islands today. The freedom to laugh comes from the understanding of this duality. By recognising the differences and similarities, there is always an opportunity to laugh and celebrate with understanding.’