Juliette Pita, regarded as one of Vanuatu’s pioneering female contemporary artists, dedicated her life to art and promoting Vanuatu’s culture through her work until her death in 2025.

Amelia said her mother regularly participated in Vanuatu Made and other events, but after her passing, she initially found it difficult to consider attending the event herself.

“Last year, I was invited to participate, but it was very hard for me because I had just lost my mother,” she said.

Amelia said she has always been uncomfortable appearing in public. However, this year she decided to overcome that fear and take part in Vanuatu Made.

“I usually feel afraid to go out in public, but this year I decided that I must come and participate,” she said.

At Vanuatu Made, Amelia is continuing one of her mother’s well-known artistic designs, featuring the Napenapen, a traditional dance associated with the women of Tanna.

Amelia explained that her mother repeatedly used the Napenapen dance and traditional Tanna women in her artwork throughout her career.

“This is my mother’s creativity. She used this design many times in her artwork,” Amelia said.

The design has become closely associated with Juliette Pita’s artistic style. Amelia said her mother’s friends, customers and art collectors could often recognise the traditional dancers in her paintings as her mother’s work because of the distinctive design she created.

For Amelia, recreating the design at this year’s Vanuatu Made event is more than simply painting.

She said it is a way of showing that, although her mother is no longer physically present, her artistic legacy continues.

“I am very happy to paint this design again at Vanuatu Made. Even though my mother has passed away, it feels like she is still around us. We cannot see her physically, but her legacy is still here with us today,” she said.

“Her style still exists, and we will keep it alive.”

This year’s event has also provided Amelia with an emotional opportunity to honour her mother.

The women of Tanna associated with the Napenapen dance were invited to join the family in commemorating Juliette’s legacy, including by performing the traditional dance.

She said the women were proud to see Juliette’s artwork continue to promote the Napenapen tradition both in Vanuatu and internationally.

Amelia recalled growing up around her mother’s artistic work and accompanying her to events.

“I always followed my mother whenever she went out to attend and participate in events. Many of her friends know me well,” she said.

Amelia also helped her mother with her artwork, including working on backgrounds while Juliette completed the main paintings.

“That was how I helped my mother and supported her business,” she said.

Although Amelia’s two brothers are also involved in painting, she said they prefer to remain behind the scenes rather than appear publicly.

As the only daughter, Amelia believes she has a responsibility to help carry her mother’s work forward.

“There is no choice. It is only me, a girl in the family. I have two brothers, but they are behind me,” she said.

She said she does not want her mother’s legacy to disappear. “We must keep the flame alive,” she said.

For Amelia, taking part in Vanuatu Made is not only about showcasing her own work. It is also a first step towards overcoming her fear of public appearances and continuing the artistic tradition she grew up with.

She is encouraged by the growing number of women artists participating in Vanuatu Made.

Amelia believes this reflects one of her mother’s dreams – to see more young women and men come forward and express themselves through art. “I am happy to see many female artists here at Vanuatu Made. This is what we want to see,” she said.

Amelia said her mother wanted to encourage young women to become artists and for both women and men to have the confidence to show their creativity.

By returning to the canvas and recreating her mother’s distinctive Napenapen design, Amelia is beginning her own journey while helping ensure that Juliette Pita’s artistic legacy is seen, remembered and passed on to the next generation.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST