Fa’afetai Amituana’i 

Savali

Fa'afetai Amituana'i is an Auckland based artist who graduated with a Bachelor of Design from Auckland's Unitec in 2002. While his work now spans many mediums, it is painting which has been Fa'afetai's long time passion and primary form of self-expression, one closely bound to his personal experiences of being Samoan living in New Zealand.

Preferring to work on large-scale canvases, Fa'afetai's subject matter tends towards Pacific motifs and images with reference to Samoan stories and legends. This includes commercial logos, global branding and symbols that are simplified or abbreviated and reflect his interest in the way people naturally appreciate and acculturate designs, patterns and art- forms from other cultures.

Maua

Stimulated by early experiences of the rich and colourful Samoan environment Fa'afetai's use of layered glazing and depth of colour is influenced by his admiration for impressionist painters and their ability to capture a sense of light and movement. Other influences have been senior Pacific artists like Fatu Feu'u, artists pivotal in the development of a contemporary Pacific arts movement; one which he believes is yet to be fully valued by audiences and art critics.

In 2005 Fa'afetai traveled to Cuba and worked as an actor and body artist in the movie ‘Adventures of the South Seas’, a French film about Robert Louie Stevenson. Fa'afetai painted traditional tattoos onto other actors; he also entered the body art section of ‘Westfield Style Pasifika 05’, to become a finalist amongst more experienced international competitors.

Foe

Early in 2006 Fa'afetai participated in the group exhibition Trans-Islander organised by the Tautai Trust on Waiheke Island. Fa’afetai made three outrigger paddles decorated in Polynesian designs to acknowledge the long, continuing heritage of inter-island Polynesian travel, which in part has become the basis of an exciting competitive sport.

While Fa'afetai continues to be open to new creative interests and outlets, his current focus is the area of painting, experimenting with perspective and figurative images. Fa'afetai is also a qualified secondary teacher in Technology, Graphics and Art and has been teaching and sharing his ideas with secondary school students across Auckland throughout 2007 - 2008.