“Mururoa is one of the atolls in the Pacific where France tested nuclear weapons between 1966 and 1996. Now scarred by colonial destruction, Mururoa symbolises the disregard European forces often showed towards Indigenous Pacific cultures, their traditions, and their lands.
The Pacific Sisters responded by creating this aitu (avatar), MuruMoa. More than a costume, MuruMoa is a guardian of the post-nuclear world, protecting motu (lands), moana (oceans) and tagata (people). Inspired by the protest song “”Moruroa”” by long-time Pacific Sister Henry Ah-Foo Taripo, the piece mixes cultural symbols with modern materials to reflect Pacific resilience.
MuruMoa’s striking robe and headpiece are made from volcanic rock, shells, silk, raffia, horse bone, wool and other materials. The Sisters use this piece to confront viewers with the region’s history of injustice, while envisioning a future where Pacific communities are empowered and sustainable.”
Content notification
Our collection comprises over 40,000 moving image works, acquired and catalogued between the 1940s and early 2000s. As a result, some items may reflect outdated, offensive and possibly harmful views and opinions. ACMI is working to identify and redress such usages.
Learn more about our collection and our collection policy here. If you come across harmful content on our website that you would like to report, let us know.
Collection
Not in ACMI's collection
Previously on display
27 April 2025
ACMI: Gallery 4
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
LN195849
Curatorial section
The Future & Other Fictions → S3: Character & Costume Design → Pacific Sisters
Object Types
3D Object