Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art

William Bakalevu discovered his passion for painting at 37 years of age after relocating from Suva, the capital city of Fiji, to his ancestral village of Nakorolevu. Inspired by local history and daily life, Bakalevu began creating domestic murals to visually document village stories. This endeavour marked the beginning of his lifelong dedication to retelling local legends and proverbs through art. Bakalevu has continued to refine his innovative contextualisation of Fijian legends, blending narrative and emotion through new symbols and techniques.

Viavia 2024 (translating to Wannabe), explores the Fijian proverb ‘Eda Ika kecega, is eda dui nubunubu’, which likens people to fish dwelling at different depths. In this painting, Bakalevu reflects on his unique artistic journey, acknowledging his desire to explore new directions while remaining deeply rooted in his cultural heritage.

Viavia (Wannabe/Want to be) 2024

Through his layering of natural tones and textures, Bakalevu’s paintings draws on the visual aesthetic of customary Fijian textile and pottery practices. This can be seen in the composition of The legend of the birds of Nacilau 2010, in which appear three characters from a legend about the night Degei, the supreme god of Fiji (here in serpent form), asked his son to order the native birds of Nacilau village to sleep elsewhere because they were chirping too loudly near his cave. The legend provides an explanation for the birds leaving the area just after sunset and returning after sunrise the next day.

The legend of the birds of Nacilau 2010

The Taralala 2010 shows three closely linked figures against a green background, connected through rhythmic patterns as they move together doing the Taralala — a Fijian dance that can be performed to any beat or melogy. Most social gatherings in Fiji have moments for people to engage in this form of dance as an important way of contributing to the spirit of joy ad fellowship.

The Taralala 2010

In The legend of the Raki Raki reefs 2010, with the texture of a woven mat in the background, the serpent form of Degei appears with his subjects, who he commanded to silence the noise of the waves breaking over then reefs near his cave. To this day, the reef break in the Rakiraki district is considered the quietest on the island.

The legend of the Raki Raki reefs 2010

Edited extract from the publication The 11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, QAGOMA, 2024

Asia Pacific Triennial Extended
View these works at QAG until 29 June

Asia Pacific Triennial
30 November 2024 – 27 April 2025
Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
Brisbane, Australia
Free entry