The Wota i Toktok exhibition was officially opened at the Suzanne Bastien Foundation Gallery in Port Vila, Vanuatu in September 2025.

The opening included a welcome by Elsie Molou, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator from Sista explaining the origins of the project and collaboration with University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Melita Grant, Associate Director Research from the Institute for Sustainable Futures at the UTS spoke about her passion for Wota i Toktok and water, sanitation and hygeine (WASH) and thanked everyone who was part of the project, especially the artists and co-collaborators Elsie Molou and Carole Réocreux.

The exhibition curator, Carole Réocreux, shared why she wanted to be part of this exhibition and the power of art in advocacy. Exhibition artists, Talula-Fay Taribakeo and Melissa Blumberg-Booth, spoke to the important connection between water and culture with Melissa sharing an engaging and moving poem (add link to file version of poem here).

The opening was made particularly special by the involvement of Edgar Hinge who created a sandroing (sand drawing) which told the story of water, and the interconnectedness of water across all aspects of life.

Groovy Banana and supporting musicians provided wonderful entertainment for visitors. (mention band names and more details). Watch the Wota Mama video created by Gaga (Groovy Banana, featuring Sheila Wills & Marina Do Mar) here.

The following images were taken by XXX and Melita Grant during the magnificent launch event.