Fatu Feu'u - Tanifa O Tagaloa

Artist: Fatu Feu'u

Artwork Name: Tanifa O Tagaloa

Medium: Australian redgum, Cook Island black pearl shell

Date Created: 2003

About the artwork

Samoan artist Fatu Feu’u has established an international reputation as the ‘father’ of Pacific Island art in New Zealand, his home since 1966. Feu’u’s philosophy is to actively pass on his extensive knowledge of traditional skills. As a part of the 2003 Lake’s Edge project, he invited members of the local Samoan community to join him in making this totem. Tanifa O Tagaloa is the offspring of Tagaloa, the Polynesian creation god, and possesses a tail much like the fish that swim from eastern Polynesia to the coast of Australia.

Artist Biography

Feu'u grew up in the village of Poutasi, in Western Samoa, immigrating to New Zealand in 1966. Since becoming a full-time artist in 1988, his paintings, woodcut prints, bronze and wooden sculptures are now held in public and private collections around the world.  He was the first artist of Pacific heritage awarded the James Wallace Art Award (1995) and the New Zealand Order of Merit for his "Achievements in Art" (2001).

Fatu Feu’u has been pivotal in shaping the interest in contemporary Pacific art globally and nurturing a generation of Pacific artists locally. 

Feu'u gains inspiration from Polynesian art forms, such as siapo (bark/tapa cloth), tatau (tattooing), weaving, carving and ceremonial mask making. His works frequently blend traditional and contemporary elements, incorporating a range of influences, inspirations, techniques and motifs from Samoa and Aotearoa and more generally from Euro-American to Pacific cultures. Feu'u's distinctive style sees him recognised as one of Aotearoa's leading Pacific artists.

Fa'asamoa is the unifying element of Feu'u's work. The term fa'asamoa is generally defined as "the Samoan way". The social structure of Samoan society is held together (and actively maintained) by an adherence to unwritten, but understood cultural conventions.

Acknowledgement 

Commisioned for the Lake's Edge project, 2003. Purchased by Lake Macquarie Art Gallery Society. Supported by Arts NSW.