Art is my culture and culture is in my art
Tuesday 16 June, 6.30pm–7.30pm
Under the Dome
Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum
Free. Bookings essential.
Papali’i Fatu Feu’u ONZM, one of the most influential figures in contemporary Pacific art, will reflect on a lifetime of creativity, cultural leadership and advocacy in a special public conversation at Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland Museum on Tuesday 16 June.
As part of the Museum’s Ngā Kākano talanoa series, Art is my culture and culture is in my art will see Feu’u join Leali’ifano Dr Albert L. Refiti to discuss his journey from the village of Poutasi in Samoa to becoming a leading figure in contemporary Pacific art and a mentor to generations of artists across Aotearoa.
Across a career spanning more than four decades, Feu’u has played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary Pacific art in Aotearoa. Through paintings, sculptures and prints that draw on Samoan cultural knowledge, identity and storytelling, he has helped bring Pacific perspectives to wider audiences while opening pathways for Pacific artists within the country’s arts sector. His work is held in public and private collections throughout Aotearoa and internationally.
The discussion will reflect on the emergence of contemporary Pacific art in Aotearoa during the late 1980s, the barriers faced by early Pacific artists, and Feu’u’s enduring belief that art and culture are inseparable. It will also explore his commitment to nurturing future generations of Pacific creatives and the lasting impact of Pacific arts on Aotearoa’s cultural landscape.
