Anthony Gaya is a multidisciplinary artist who has lived and worked in French Polynesia since 2003. Navigating between various art practices (painting, sculpture, installation) and materials (tapa cloth, resin, coral, wood, silicone, etc.), his multifaceted work explores different ways of observing the world in relation to history, cultural practices and traditions.
With advanced technical ease acquired through a full life of constant self-learning, his work plays around with conventions to decipher knowledge systems and artistic codes.
Exploring the exhilarating world of childhood, using fiction to create the story of a forgotten artist to exhibit his real non-fictive art works, or innovating in his art research to offer the best possible interpretation of his pieces, Anthony Gaya reveals a subjective, curious, and incisive perspective on his environment and our contemporary time.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 “Polynesian Impressions”, Open Studio, Cité Internationale des Arts X French Polynesia
Residency Program, Paris
“Tuaro” (Polynesian Traditional Sports and Games), Salle Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
2023 “Hémispheres”, Galerie Walk of Arts, Papeete, Tahiti
“Hémispheres”, Salle Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
2022 “François Hippolyte, oeuvres trouvées 1890-1905” (François Hippolyte, Found Works 1890-
1905), Salle Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
2018 “Rétrospective : 15 ans en Polynésie” (Retrospective: 15 Years in Polynesia), Salle
Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
2016 “Carpe Diem”, Salle Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
2012 “Vallées et marae de Tahiti” (Valleys and Marae of Tahiti), Le Méridien de Tahiti
2011 Street Art, New York (for the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks)
2005 “Ice in Wonderland”, Galerie Rimai, Papeete, Tahiti
“Les goûts et les couleurs” (Tastes and Colors), Salle Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2026 “La peinture, penser dans la couleur et les formes” (Painting, Thinking in Colours and
Shapes), University of French Polynesia
2025 “Hommage à Michel Ko” (Tribute to Michel Ko), Salle Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
2024 Délégation de la Polynésie Française, Paris
“Horue, vagues d’hier et d’aujourd’hui” (Surf, Waves of Yesterday and Today), Musée de
Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare Iamanaha
2022 “Collection”, Te Fare Natura, Moorea
“ECOH”, Te Fare Natura, Moorea
2021 “Le peuple de l’eau” (The People of Water), Galerie Winkler, Tahiti
“Le peuple de l’eau” (The People of Water), University of French Polynesia
“Fa’aiho ta’u tufa’a” (Perspectives of Contemporary Artists), Musée de Tahiti et des Iles – Te
Fare Iamanaha
2020 “Mona Lisa Tapa Tout… Dit”, Galerie Winkler, Tahiti
“Mona Lisa Tapa Tout… Dit”, University of French Polynesia
2018 “Once Upon a Time in Tahiti”, James Norman Hall - Imaginary Collection, James Norman
Hall House / Galerie Winkler
“Dans les pas de Gauguin” (In the Footsteps of Gauguin), Galerie Winkler, Tahiti
“Le vin dans la peinture” (Wine in Painting) Millésime, Tahiti
2015 University of French Polynesia, Tahiti
2014 “Festival du Tapa” (Tapa Festival), Galerie des Tropiques, Tahiti
2012 “Prise de terre” (Taking Land), Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare Iamanaha
2011 “Mua Muri, Avant Après” (Mua Muri, Before After), Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare
Iamanaha
2010 “Têtes coupables” (Guilty Heads), Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare Iamanaha
2009 “Le jardin des délices” (The Garden of Delights), Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare
Iamanaha
2008 “La mort en rit encore” (Death Is Still Laughing About It), Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te
Fare Iamanaha
2007 Arue City Hall, Tahiti
Le Méridien de Tahiti
“Tapu”, Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare Iamanaha
2006 “Portrait et autoportrait polynésien” (Polynesian Portrait and Self-Portrait), Renault
Showroom, Tahiti
“Polynésie : qui la rêve, qui la regarde ?” (Polynesia: Who Dreams of It, Who Looks at It?),
Salle Muriavai, Papeete, Tahiti
2005 “Festival de la Terre” (Earth Festival), Assembly of French Polynesia
“Chemins de passion” (Paths of Passion), Papeete City Hall, Tahiti
RESIDENCIES
2024 Cité Internationale des Arts X French Polynesia Program, Paris
AWARDS
2017 First Prize, “Tiki” Contest, Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare Iamanaha
2005 Special Prize, “Festival of the Earth” Exhibition Contest, Territorial Assembly of French
Polynesia
COLLECTIONS
Maison de James Norman Hall, Arue, Tahiti
Papeete Cathedral, Tahiti
PUBLICATIONS
2017 “Tapa”, Michel Charleux, Somology Editions d’Art, Paris, 2017, pp. 555
PRESS
2026
“Couleurs et formes polynésiennes : l’art contemporain s’installe à la Bibliothèque universitaire” (Polynesian colours and shapes: contemporary art takes up residence at the University Library), Turouru Geuirard, la1ere.franceinfo.fr, March 13
“L’art contemporain polynésien en forme et en couleurs à la bibliothèque universitaire” (Contemporary Polynesian art in shape and colour at the University Library), Alexandra Perrini, radio1.pf, March 13
2024
“Cinq Polynésiens s’installent à cité des arts de Paris pour trois mois” (Five Polynesians are settling in the Cité des Arts in Paris for three months), Vaitiare Pereyre, radio1.pf, September 15
“Des artistes polynésiens en résidence à Paris jusqu'en novembre” (Polynesian artists in residence in Paris until November), Ph. Binet, tahiti-infos.com, September 12
“Trois peintres polynésiens en résidence à la Cité des arts de Paris” (Three Polynesian painters in residence at the Cité des Arts in Paris), A.Zerquera Reyes & W.Gleize, tntvnews.pf, September 11
“Horue : vagues d’hier et d’aujourd’hui” (Horue: Waves of yesterday and today), Hiro’a, issue 196, April, pp.16-19
“Exposition « Tuaro – Sports et jeux traditionnels à Tahiti » : découvrez dès le 29 avril les nouvelles créations de Gaya” (Exhibition “Tuaro – Traditional Sports and Games in Tahiti”: discover Gaya’s new creations from April 29th), Dominique Schmitt, pacific-pirates-media.com, April 16
2023
“Muriavai : Gaya, Vanaa et Hoho’a s’exposent” (Muriavai: Gaya, Vanaa and Hoho’a put themselves on display), Pauline Stasi, Hiro’a, issue 183, March, pp.30
“Hémisphères, la nouvelle exposition de Gaya” (Hemispheres, Gaya's new exhibition), Dominique Schmitt, pacific-pirates-media.com, March 20
2022
“Une belle histoire” (A Beautiful Story), Delphine Barrais, Tahiti Infos, Issue 2138, April 2021, pp. 12
“Hippolyte Gauguin, l’hypothèse contestée” (“Hippolyte Gauguin, the Contested Hypothesis”), Delphine Barrais, Tahiti Infos, Issue 2134, April 13, pp. 10
“Gaya enquête sur Hippolyte” (Gaya Investigates Hippolyte), Delphine Barrais, Tahiti Infos, Issue 2127, April 4, pp. 16
“François Hippolyte dans le regard de Gaya” (François Hippolyte in Gaya's eyes), Hiro’a, Issue 173, March, pp. 27
2020
“L’artiste” (The Artist), Lucie Rabréaud, Hine, Issue 58, pp. 62-63
“Le Christ Bleu de Gaya” (Gaya's Blue Christ), Father Christophe, P.K.0, Issue 33, July 19, pp. 1-2
2018
“Voyage imaginaire à la maison de James Norman Hall” (Imaginary Journey in the House of James Norman Hall), Tahiti Infos, October 29
“Cinq bonnes raisons de sortir” (Five Good Reasons to Go Out), La Dépêche de Tahiti, October 26-28, pp. 22
“La mélancolie tahitienne de Gauguin” (Gauguin's Tahitian Melancholy), Henri Brillant Heinere, Tahiti Infos, Issue 1069, January 4, pp. 22
2017
“Rétrospective: 15 ans en Polynésie de Gaya” (Retrospective: Gaya's 15 Years in Polynesia), Dominique Schmitt, Tahiti Infos, Issue 1001, September 26, pp. 20
“Rétrospective: 15 ans en Polynésie de Gaya” (Retrospective, Gaya's 15 years in Polynesia), Dominique Schmitt, Tahiti Pacifique, Issue 364, pp. 40-47
“L’artiste peintre Gaya fait sa rétrospective” (The painter Gaya presents his retrospective), J.H., La Dépêche de Tahiti, September 20, pp. 21
2016
“Carpe Diem, Gaya en mode X interdit aux moins de 18 ans !” (Carpe Diem, Gaya in X mode not suitable for people under 18!), Dominique Schmitt, Tahiti, Issue 791, November 21, pp. 32
“Les oeuvres de Gaya classées X” (Gaya's X-Rated Works), Tahiti Pacifique, Issue 343, November 25 to December 8, pp. 5
“Gaya et la sexualité dans toute sa diversité” (Gaya and sexuality in all its diversity), J.H., Tahiti News
“Ouverture mardi 22 novembre d'une exposition classée X signée Gaya” (Opening on November 22 of an X-rated exhibition by Gaya), La Dépêche of Tahiti, November 20, pp. 48
2013
“La nature vue par Gaya” (Nature as Seen by Gaya), J.H., La Dépêche de Tahiti, October 26, pp.22
“Quelle drôle de prise de terre et prise de tête” (What a Strange Land Taking and Headache), Leilanie, Hiro’a, January 21 pp. 8-9
2012
“Prise de terre et prise de tête” (Taking Land and Headache), Pascal Bastianaggi, Les Nouvelles de Tahiti, October
2007
“Fin du Tapu à Te Fare Manaha” (End of Tapu at Te Fare Manaha), Les Nouvelles de Tahiti, April 5, pp. 18
“Tapu ou la passion de l’interdit” (Tapu or Passion for the Forbidden), Les Nouvelles de Tahiti, April 15, pp. 13
“Tensions dans le monde l’art” (Tensions in the Art World), A.D.P., Tahiti Pacifique, Issue 191, March, pp. 30-31
“Un atelier, trois artistes et beaucoup de talent” (One workshop, Three Artists and a Lot of Talent), Claire Chunlaud, La Dépêche de Tahiti, March 3, pp. 19
2006
“Regard croisés sur la Polynésie par deux artistes diamétralement opposés” (Perspectives on Polynesia by Two Diametrically Opposed Artists), Claude Savriacouty, Les Nouvelles de Tahiti, December 7, pp. 11
“La plus grande exposition contemporaine” (The largest contemporary exhibition), Lara Dupuy, La Dépêche de Tahiti, September 17, pp. 2
2005
“Cochons en libertés” (Pigs Roaming Free), Lara Dupuy, KA, La Dépêche de Tahiti, June 6
“Graines de folie” (Seeds of Madness), Tahiti Business, Issue 40
“Gaya au pays des merveilles” (Gaya in Wonderland), Les Nouvelles de Tahiti, November
“Alice au pays des merveilles ou une vahine au pays de la came” (Alice in Wonderland or a Tahitian Woman in the Land of Drugs), Karine Albonico, La Dépêche de Tahiti, November 6, pp.20-21
“Festival mondial de la terre, les artistes investissent la mairie de Papeete” (World Earth Festival, Artists Are Taking Over Papeete City Hall), C.S., Les Nouvelles de Tahiti
“Un Christ bleu presque trop vrai” (A Blue Christ Almost Too Real), D.Jezegou, La Dépêche de Tahiti, September 10, pp. 37
“Sentiers de passions, la passion sous toutes ses formes” (Paths of Passion, Passion in All Its Forms), Karine Albonico, September 9
“A la galerie Rima’i, Gaya” (At the Rima'i Gallery, Gaya), J.G., Toere, pp. 9
“Sentier de passion, « C’est mon rêve ultime de voir mon Christ Bleu dans une église, pourquoi pas à Tahiti »” (Paths of Passion, “It’s my ultimate dream to see my Blue Christ in a church, why not in Tahiti”), A. Cesbron Fourrier, Tahiti Business
“Exposition sentiers de passion” (Paths of Passion Exhibition), C.D., Tahiti Presse, August 29
“Les goûts et les couleurs” (Tastes and Colors), C.D., Tahiti Presse, March 3
“Gaya explore le monde pictural” (Gaya Explores the Pictorial World), Karine Albonico, Les Nouvelles de Tahiti, March 2, pp. 10
CATALOGUES
“ECOH”, World Art Day, University of French Polynesia, 2022, pp. 24 & 60
“Le peuple de l’eau” (The People of Water), World Art Day, University of French Polynesia, 2021
“Mona Lisa Tapa Tout…Dit”, World Art Day, University of French Polynesia, 2020
“Fa’aiho ta’u tufa’a” (Perspectives of Contemporary Artists), Musée de Tahiti et des Iles - Te Fare Iamanaha, 2020-2021, pp. 18-19
“Prise de terre” (Taking Land), Le journal de l’expo, Association Trans Pacific Art et le Musée de Tahiti et des Iles, 2012
“Mua Muri, Avant Après” (Mua Muri, Before After), Association Trans Pacific Art et le Musée de Tahiti et des Iles, 2011, pp. 28-29
“Le Jardin des délices” (The Garden of Delights), Association Trans Pacific Art et le Musée de Tahiti et des Iles, 2009
“Art Made in Tahiti, artistes et galeries de Polynésie Française 2009”, Emmanuel Deschamps, Editions Le Motu, Papeete, Issue 8, pp. 48-49
“Art Made in Tahiti, artistes et galeries de Polynésie Française 2008”, Emmanuel Deschamps, Editions Le Motu, Papeete, Issue 7, pp. 46-47
“Art Made in Tahiti, artistes et galeries de Polynésie Française 2007”, Emmanuel Deschamps, Editions Le Motu, Papeete, Issue 6, pp. 82-83
“Art Made in Tahiti, artistes et galeries de Polynésie Française 2006”, Emmanuel Deschamps, Editions Le Motu, Papeete, Issue 5, pp. 52-53
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2005–2026, Visual Arts Teacher for Adults and Teenagers, Pirae, Tahiti
2009–2010, Visual Arts Teacher, Cours Bufflier Private School, Papeete, Tahiti
2005–2009, Trainer in Educational Techniques and Visual Expression, IRFE (Decentralized Training Unit in French Polynesia)
- Ministry of Culture and Heritage of French Polynesia
- Musée de Tahiti et des Iles (Museum of Tahiti, French Polynesia)
- Quai Branly Museum (Paris, France)
- Auckland War Memorial Museum (New Zealand)