Sydney, Australia :

A TONGAN Ngatu painting on display at the 'Edge of Elsewhere' Exhibition at Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney, Australia is becoming a major attraction for national and international visitors to the centre.

The piece of ngatu is a creation of a Tongan women's group called "Liahona" from the suburb of Minto, in Western Sydney, who were assisted by an Australian artist, Newell Harry.

Catherine Wilson wrote that during 2010, Harry met regularly with the Liahona group and learned about the artistry and technical skills involved, "and gaining insight into the social and cultural role of tapa in traditional and contemporary Tongan communities."

He also visited Nuku'alofa accompanied by a renowned hip-hop artist, Charles Lomu, who guided him through meetings with elders, as well as relatives of the women he was collaborating with in Sydney.

The 'Edge of Elsewhere' Exhibition at the Centre for Contemporary Asian Art is highlighting the lives of indigenous and immigrant Australians in some of the fastest growing areas of Sydney.

The exhibition was opened at the 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art where it will run until 12 March and at the Campbelltown Arts Centre until 17 April.