Lakiloko Keakea

Lakiloko Tepae Keakea (born 1948) is an artist from Tuvalu, living in New Zealand. She is a member of Fakapotopotoga Fafine Tuvalu – the Tuvalu Women’s arts collective.

Background

Keakea was born in 1948, in Nui, Tuvalu. In 1957, Keakea moved to Niutao and in 1971 moved to Kiribati with her first husband. In 1996, she moved to New Zealand and currently lives in Ranui, Auckland.

Career Keakea is considered a mea taulima artist, meaning that she creates her artwork with her hands, and is a promoter of Pasifika handcrafts.

Keakea learned the practise of kolose (crochet) from her mother, at the age of 12, and began making dresses and tiputa (crochet tops). Keakea began making art in the 1950s, after moving to Niutao. Her first works included a belt, baskets, fans and trays. In the 1970s Keakea became active in Fakapotopotoga Fafine Tuvalu, an art group that taught and promoted the art practices of women from the various islands of Tuvalu. She also has pieces in the collection of the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

In 2018, Keakea held a major solo exhibition Fafetu at Objectspace art gallery in Auckland. Fafetu was curated by Malama T-Pole, who promotes Tuvaluan art forms and is a member of the Niutao Community Trust.

Honours and awards In 2017, Keakea won the Pacific Heritage Art Award from the annual Creative New Zealand Arts Pasifika Awards. She was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2023 New Year Honours, for services to Tuvaluan art.