About Ake Lianga...

Ake Lianga was born in 1975 into a large family on the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. He has been pursuing his art since childhood. In his village school no art classes were available, yet he worked hard on his own. Many of his ancestors had been carvers and weavers and he looked to his family for inspiration and encouragement.

While still in school, Ake won the design competition for the logo for World Food Day for the municipality of Honiara. This achievement encouraged him further. After high school Ake was employed as an artist, producing screen prints and painting signs. Following the completion of this two-year apprenticeship, Ake became self-employed as a sign painter and mural artist.

Commissions allowed him to travel extensively in the Oceanic region. At this time Ake was elected treasurer of the Artist Association of the Solomon Islands, a volunteer organization to which Ake devoted much time and energy.

In 1995 Ake Lianga won the South Pacific Contemporary Art Competition and was chosen to travel to Sydney, Australia to participate in a group exhibition at New South Wales University. This gave him an opportunity to meet and work with contemporary artists from all areas of the South Pacific. Ake returned home freshly inspired to explore new techniques and themes.

Ake applied for and successfully secured a Commonwealth Arts and Crafts award in 1996 that enabled him to study at any other country in the Commonwealth. He chose Canada and enrolled at North Island College in Courtenay, B.C.. Years earlier Ake met a Canadian, Valerie Harrison, from the Comox Valley, who visited the Solomon Islands on a cultural exchange. Ake was intrigued by all he heard about Canada and in his choice for his studies was seeking a unique artistic experience very different from his past.

Once relocated to Vancouver Island, Ake settled into the community and life at the college. In 1998 he was given a public service award by the city of Courtenay. Soon after he was shocked to learn that the 9 month course of study which he had embarked upon would only fulfill half the Fine Arts program requirements. On a student visa Ake was not allowed to work and his scholarship funds would be entirely depleted after the first half of the program. He faced defeat and was preparing to return home when suddenly his fellow art students rallied around him to find sponsorship so that Ake could complete his program. A large number of people from all over B.C. came forward with generous donations of support. Thanks to these kind people, Ake stayed and excelled in his program, consistently being placed on the Dean's Honour Role. Ake graduated in Fine Arts in 1999. North Island College hired him in his final semester to teach printmaking to the first year students. This was an experience he enjoyed immensely.

In 1998 Ake was the successful artist in a competition for a new logo for the South Pacific Peoples Foundation which is now known as the Pacific Peoples Partnership.

In December 1999 Ake moved to Victoria to be with his fiance. One of the first things he did was offer his services as a volunteer for Pacific Peoples Partnership in Victoria.

The artist was married in April, 2001. Canada is his new home.