The Fiji Arts Council is taking a lead role in assisting artists by giving them space to showcase their artwork.

The new Matalia Art Gallery at Council’s head office in Suva is aimed at attracting tourists, students and the general public.

Council Director Peni Cavuilagi says the gallery was set up to give artists the recognition they deserve.

“The wanting to give back to Arts Council, so they came and I said look we have the space. And they came and have a discussion with themselves and these are senior artists of Fiji. And they said we can do a gallery here. So last night was the opening of the gallery and they called it the Matalia Art gallery”.

The gallery will hold the most authentic pieces put together by Fijian artists.

“This is where they portray and express how they feel about whatever areas that they want to showcase. We can see a lot of messages that are coming from the artwork”.

Meanwhile, senior artist Josua Toganivalu says the Gallery will inspire upcoming artists.

“This is an opportunity for local artists in Fiji to come together during the exhibition and just having a permanent space to showcase our work is something local artists have been looking forward to for a very long time”.

The council is optimistic in expanding its art infrastructure with the continuous support from the government and other stakeholders in future.