Overview
You might know them as Nelly's bling of choice, but who knew grills were also a Tongan symbol for beauty. Such adornments, along with human hair, feathers and ivory are used in the Pacifica cultures to express one's wealth and class, and the more adornments lead to the highest social standing. The use of niko kola, or gold teeth, is relatively new to the culture. Tongans plate their teeth largely in second hand gold, made from old earrings, rings and necklaces that are melted down in order to create these gold covers. Inherited wedding rings are transformed into grills to commemorate the marriage and the love that the ring once stood for, and to let these notions be displayed on the body of another.
Ane Tonga's exhibition at the Auckland Festival of Photography explores nifo koula, and what they mean in the present day and in the New Zealand context. She demonstrates how grills portray faka' ofo' ofa, or Tongan beauty, including not only physical appearance but also the social class and moral values that contribute to an individual's overall beauty. Her exhibit aims to present the deeper side to gold teeth, through the eyes of Tongan women, and how their notions of beauty are changing since living in New Zealand to conform to a Europeanised standard.
Also, on June 7, Ane Tonga will be talking about her exhibition at 1pm. You should go listen.