Barbering Legend Charles Lomu in Discussion with Pasifika Curator Lalau Leo Tanoi:

Join community legend and Barbershop luminary Charles Lomu and Pasifika curator and community leader Lalau Leo at ACE on Saturday 28 May for a lively discussion on how Lomu’s Barbershop Project went from a small initiative run out of his garage, to an acclaimed program supporting young people in Western Sydney.

Since 2016, Charles has been running the Barbershop Project to support young people in Western Sydney to develop new skills in an effort to build a stronger community and emphasise family.

The current Barbershop x Biennale 3 week pop-up, presented by ACE as a key event during its 23rd Biennale of Sydney exhibition, is on now and running Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from the Arts & Cultural Exchange in Parramatta.

Register now and hear how Charles and this acclaimed program encourage young participants to develop their own personal styles of barbering and braiding, as well as embolden them to pursue their talents.

When: 11am, Saturday 28th May 2022

Where: Arts & Cultural Exchange, 8 Victoria Rd Parramatta

Free event, registrations essential

About Charles Lomu:

When cherished trips to the barber with his youngest son became too expensive, Charles Lomu invested in a pair of clippers and set about teaching himself to become a serious barber through the ‘University’ of YouTube. With donated furniture, Charles began providing a ‘check up from the neck up’ for men from his Pacific Islander and church community. His humble garage set-up quickly became a destination for men who wanted more from their barbershop experience.

In addition to his skills as a barber, Charles is a youth worker and a recording artist. With 15 years experience, he specialises in developing and facilitating mentorship and leadership programs and hip hop music workshops for young people in juvenile detention centres, youth organisations, and schools.

About Lalau Leo Tanoi:

Lalau Leo Tanoi is a prominent Sydney-based Pasifika curator, arts programmer, DJ, radio broadcaster, performer, cultural worker and community leader. He was born in Mangere and grew up in Auckland before migrating to Sydney in 1988. Leo founded Eyeland Style Productions in 1990, a production and events management company dedicated to bringing artists, Pasifika communities and businesses together.

Currently working on Treasure Islands - a six episode web series in collaboration with Arts & Cultural Exchange and the Powerhouse Museum (MAAS), Leo has worked as an advisor and consultant for numerous organisations, including the NSW Council for Pacific Communities, Samoan Advisory Council, Pacific Islands Communities Action Group, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, and the City of Canterbury-Bankstown.