Molima Molly Pihigia QSM is a Niuean weaver, arts advocate and healthcare worker based in New Zealand. She founded Falepipi he Mafola, a Niuean handcraft group, in 1993.
Molima Molly Pihigia | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Pihigia, 2020 | |
| Born | 1950 or 1951 (age 73–74) Alofi, Niue |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse |
Fataiki Pihigia (died 2013) |
| Children | 4 |
Life and career
editPihigia was born in Alofi, Niue, and moved to Wellington, New Zealand as a 19-year-old in February 1970.[1] She moved to Auckland in 1990.[1] She was married to Fataiki Pihigia until his death in 2013, and they had four children together.[2]
She founded Falepipi he Mafola, a Niuean handcraft group for older people which promotes the art of weaving and Niuean culture and language, in April 1993.[3] The group received the Pacific Heritage Arts Award at the 2009 Arts Pasifika Awards for "active community engagement with promotion of Niuean heritage arts".[4] At the time, Pihigia explained that the regular meetings of the group had become "an avenue for us to develop, maintain and promote the Niuean handcraft skills in weaving, plaiting, netting, carving and most importantly language".[4] The name of the group means "house of peace".[1] The group published CDs of Niuean songs in 2005 and 2010.[1][4]
Pihigia is an experienced weaver and uses recycled materials in her art. In 2016, 2017 and 2018 she hosted showcases at the Pasifika Festival.[3] Her work is included in the Pacific culture collection at Te Papa.[5][6] Since 2010 she has been a tutor and artist for Tupumaiaga A Niue Trust.[3]
In addition to her art, Pihigia has worked in healthcare and mainly in aged care.[1] She has worked as the project leader for TOA Pacific, an organisation supporting the care of elderly Pasifika people.[7]
In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Pihigia was awarded the Queen's Service Medal, for services to Niuean art and the community.[3][8]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Pihigia, Molima Molly (17 December 2021). "Falepipi he Mafola – A House of Peace". Pantograph Punch. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Fataiki Tutolutama PIHIGIA". The New Zealand Herald. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Queen's Birthday Honours 2020 - Citations for the Queen's Service Medal". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. New Zealand Government. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ a b c Udanga, Romy (3 December 2009). "Women's group has heart for art". Manukau Courier. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ Akeli, Safua; Pasene, Shane (2011). "Exploring 'the Rock': Material culture from Niue Island in Te Papa's Pacific Cultures collection" (PDF). Tuhinga (22): 111. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "iliili (fan)". Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ Norton, Hannah (4 May 2009). "Helping hand needed for family carers". Manukau Courier. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday Honours: The full list". New Zealand Herald. 1 June 2020. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.