Sione Maileseni

Biography:

Sione Maileseni is a Tongan artist who has been weaving for 20 years. He specializes in coconut fibre weaving and has been working to preserve and revive the traditional arts of his community. Maileseni has been featured in several exhibitions, including the 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art and the FestPAC in Hawaii. He has also been invited to participate in the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant Papua New Guinea (MPIP PNG) Project Runway. Maileseni is also known for his work with Lesieli Tupou, who is one of his few male weaving students. He has been recognized for his skill and passion in weaving and has been featured in several news articles and videos. Maileseni's work is highly regarded in the Tongan community and he continues to be an advocate for the preservation of traditional arts and culture.