Ruha
Fifita

Ruha Fifita, born and raised in Tonga, has focused her visual arts practice learning about the complex art of Ngatu-making. In her native Tonga, creating Ngatu, known throughout the Pacific Islands as tapa cloth, is a community endeavour which demands and nurtures valuable skills, attitudes and qualities among all involved. Throughout her exploration of this ancient art form, Ruha has collaborated with communities and artists in Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Australia. She has been invited to exhibit work and contribute to related discourses in settings such as the Auckland Art Festival, Pataka Art Gallery, The National Gallery of Victoria, and the Tjibaou Cultural Centre. Ruha currently works as a research assistant for Pacific art. Her role involves maintaining networks and broadening community engagement for the department’s collections and exhibitions. Beyond this, she is largely involved in supporting the unfoldment of a Baha’i-inspired, grass roots educational process in Southeast Queensland that seeks to raise capacity in individuals of all backgrounds to take charge of their own spiritual, social and intellectual development.