Kia ora koutou! Introducing fashion and textile designer Rawiri Brown.

Ngāriki Kaiputahi | Ngāti Raukawa
Cook Island Māori
Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa
IG: @morethread

Having over 15 years working in the fashion industry Rawiri aims to highlight the skilled craft and creative process involved in garment and textile making which is often overlooked and relegated to people’s bedroom floors.

Rawiri is drawn to design and textiles due to its close relationships with evocation, nostalgia, ceremony, tradition, ability to imbue power or authority through textiles’ everyday objects and applications.

Get a glimpse into Rawiri’s creative process as he shares his ‘messy workroom’ and the inspiration behind his capsule collection entitled ‘Happy Endings’.

Watch this compilation video of Rawiri’s artistic process! These little snippets draw inspiration from his experience with the current climate.  Entitled ‘Happy Endings’ has an overarching theme of an idealised utopia masking actual reality.  Tongue and check references of his hometown’s logo and what parallels of life was like for himself in 2007’s Global Financial Crisis. He then shares with us the ways in which he experiments with his found objects to make beautiful and sustainable garments.  

We are excited to share Rawiri’s final work! Made as a response to today’s current climate with tongue and cheek references to his hometown Rawiri Brown presents the capsule collection ‘Happy Endings’ created during his Fale-ship residency!

“Employing a hyper saturated colour palette to the point of almost looking garish; incorporating found materials to reinforce narrative and using textiles considered tacky, or cheap to produce a collection with high end finishings and craftsmanship.”

Rawiri Brown

Q+A talanoa with Rawiri & Leafa

Leafa and Rawiri sit down to talk about the processes behind developing a fashion collection.

Leafa: “So can you tell us a bit about your creative process during your Tautai Fale-ship?”
Rawiri: “I love coming up with the ideas and concepts behind a new collection…aesthetically at the moment I like juxtaposition of using already sourced or discarded things that aren’t considered valuable and turning them into something desirable.”

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:
LEAFA WILSON
Performance artist/ Curator/Art Writer/ Director – Olga
Sāmoan | Gafa: Vaimoso/Siumu/Fasito’otai
Hamilton, Aotearoa
IG: @bungaswehr
IG: @olgaartspace 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us 
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Talofa lava! Introducing multi-disciplinary artist Fa’amele Etuale.

Samoan | Chinese 
South Auckland, Aotearoa 
IG: @faameleetuale 

Fa’amele is a self taught artist, Pacific contemporary jeweller and a maker of all things creative. 

O lo’u igoa o Fa’amele Etuale, I am of Samoan and Chinese descent. I live and make Art in my beautiful home of Otara, South Auckland.  

My father comes from Laulii Suaniu Tala’ave Filipo, my two beautiful mothers come from Leufisa and Malie their names were Teleise Grace Filipo and Lainaimalae Filipo. I am the Eldest of 8 siblings, I am married to Gasu Apelu Ilemaleota Etuale who is from Tufulele I have 4 beautiful children. 

Fa’amele emphasises the importance of documenting and trailing her designs before making the finished work! She gives us an insight into her home studio and her step-by-step creative process, from her sketches to her final lei designs!  

‘The Promise’

‘The Promise’ is both relatable yet deeply personal to Fa’amele. It is a testament to the shared experience of migration from the Islands to Aotearoa and Australia. She captures the feelings of excitement, the unknown and of course the notion of ‘promise’. This painting holds meanings beyond just this for Fa’amele, it is also a dedication to her late mother-in-law Fili, who inspired her everyday. Swipe right to read more about this beautiful and significant artwork. 

“I heard my own voice, it blocked out all the noise of whatever is happening on social media, whatever people are doing, whatever people think. Everything around me just closed.” 

Fa’amele Etuale

Q+A with Fa’amele and Marie

Fa’amele and Marie discuss the importance of being true to oneself and making art that is important to you and your loved ones.  

@mariefilipomusic – “So when your residency launches online, what do you want people to take away from it?” 
@faameleetuale – “I want to tell all the artists out there, that don’t have a voice, that don’t have a platform…that there are people out there, like myself, that are here…Never let anyone tell you to stop doing what’s in your heart. That’s all I want people to take away from my Fale-ship.” 

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:  
Marie Filipo 
Musician, Motivational Speaker 
Samoan/Chinese 
South Auckland, Aotearoa 
IG: @marie_filipo | @mariefilipomusic 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us 
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Talofa lava! Introducing comic book artist Michel Mulipola.

Sāmoan
Māngere, South Auckland
IG: @bloodysamoanart | FB: @bloodysamoanart
www.bloodysamoan.com
www.bloodysamoan.com/o-le-aiga-comics

Michel is one of the very few professional Pasifika comic artists. With a growing international fanbase, he enjoys sharing his stories with people from all over the globe.

Michel Mulipola is a Sāmoan comic book artist/pro wrestler/semi-pro gamer born and raised on the mean streets of Māngere, South Auckland. His grandfather’s villages are Lefaga, Iva and Manono and his grandmother’s villages are Papa Sātaua, Faleasiu, Vaimoso and Sinamoga.

He has illustrated works for the WWE, Marvel Comics, 2K Games ANZ, SIS Show, Sky TV, Pasifika Heroes Books and NZ School Journals amongst many other things.

Michel’s art practice of illustrating comic stories is one that is popular amongst consumers but rarely practiced by Pasifika artists. In fact, he is one of the very few professional Pasifika comic artists and if you Google “Samoan comic artist,” he is featured in the top results. Pasifika people are naturally gifted storytellers telling their stories through different mediums, Michel’s medium happens to be comic books. Comics are often misunderstood as an art style, superheroes or a genre but in reality, it is a storytelling medium

Get an insight into Michel’s creative workspace and daily surroundings that inspire him. He also shares with us some awesome snapshots from his previous works as well as a sneak peek into the new works he created as part of his Fale-ship residency!

Check out Michel’s twitch time-lapse, depicting the creation of his comic he created for his Fale-ship, ‘O Le Aiga Samoa.’ Head to our youtube to see the full time-lapse or to Michel’s twitch account for the full livestream where he explains how he designs his comics and where he gets his inspiration!

“In sharing my process so publicly on Twitch, I aimed to demystify the comics artform and make myself available to any artists or casual viewers who wish to pick my brain on the creative process”

– Michel Mulipola

Q+A with Michel and Leafa

Michel chats all about his experiences at Comicon in San Diego and what inspires him to be an illustrator!

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:
LEAFA WILSON
Performance artist/ Curator/Art Writer/ Director – Olga
Sāmoan | Gafa: Vaimoso/Siumu/Fasito’otai
Hamilton, Aotearoa
IG: @bungaswehr
IG: @olgaartspace 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us 
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Talofa lava! Introducing sound and video practitioner Salvador Brown.

Samoan | European
Westmere, Aotearoa
IG: @salvadorbrown
www.salvadorbrown.com

He is now based in Auckland after growing up in London, where he was a member of Ngāti Ranana-Maori Cultural Group, Maramara Totara-London based Taiaha Roopu and Beats of Polynesia Dance group. Salvador first blew the pū (conch) at the age of 4 and has had a love affair with Taonga Puoro ever since. Photography and Videography are his second love, shooting stills on film sets to documenting SaVĀges and Sisters.

Salvador was raised surrounded by the Pasifika arts scene as a child of one of the Pacific Sisters, who he often collaborates with. He participated in the Inaugural London SaVĀge K’lub in 2011 and went on to document them for the Queensland Art Gallery’s 8^th Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art in 2015. Horomona Horo is currently mentoring him as he develops a research project “Fagu Tagi – Bottled Sound” a comparative study of Maori and Samoan musical instruments for the Pacific Sisters.

Highlights of his artistic practice include Kaiwhakatangi at the opening celebrations for the acclaimed Pacific Sisters: Fashion Activists exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery. Acti.VA.tor for In*ter*is*land Collective in London for the Oceania exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris (2019) and Workshop leader at Volkenkunde Museum Netherland Maori Week with his London whanau Te Kohanga Reo o Rānana in 2018.  

Get an insight into Salvador’s creative workspace in Westmere and the process of diving into the digital moana to create the sound bed work ‘DigiTā VāSā’.  

Salvador takes us on a visual journey, sharing the process behind creating his final sound bed work ‘DigiTā VāSā’

CREDITS:
Shot on the Waitematā (Obsidian Waters) | Acknowledgements to the mana whenua

Pūtātara named Te Kupenga ā Kiva | Brought to life by Thomas Carroll, Tahiarii Pariente and Kanaloa

Tatau
Gogo by Emine Jones-Burke
Atualoa by Mokonuiarangi Smith
Fe’e by Croc Tatau

Camera operated by Kerry Brown
Sound design and video editing by Sālvādor Brown

Returning to his geographical home of Auckland and deepening his connection to his ancestral home of Samoa, Salvador responds through the sound bed ‘DigiTā VāSā’ created during his Fale-ship residency!

<< Recommended listening on headphones
in a quiet calm space, close to water if possible >>

Sounds:
Tā Tatau – Mokonuiarangi Smith
Pūtātara named Te Kupenga ā Kiva – Brought to life by Thomas Carroll, Tahiarii Pariente and Kanaloa
Mamapū named Lonetona – Made from Ofe (Bamboo) brought to life by Sālvādor Brown
Early morning Manu (Birds)

Digital Sounds: Pink noise, Brown noise, Arcade synthesizer, Arcade Bass guitar, Digital Glitches, Electro Magnetic Interference

Q+A talanoa with Salvador & Marie…

Salvador chats with Marie about the digital moana and how his whānau inspires him.

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:  
Marie Filipo 
Musician, Motivational Speaker 
Samoan/Chinese 
South Auckland, Aotearoa 
IG: @marie_filipo | @mariefilipomusic 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us 
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Mālō e lelei! Introducing Melissa Gilbert, a multi-faceted creator, who taps into themes of identity, healing and spiritualism.

Tongan, Samoan, Fijian and Palagi
Central Auckland
IG: @meliciousmelmel & @gap.tooth.boo
FB: Melicious Mel Mel
www.meliciousmelmel.com

Her multi-cultural background heavily influences her work and how she sees the world. She does everything from smearing paint on canvas to hot gluing feathers on self-made regalia to covering herself in fake blood just to tell her stories. She tenaciously teaches herself new skills, to create bigger and better work that touches its viewers. Her residency took place right in her backyard in Grey Lynn, Auckland. 

Melissa provides insight into her artistic process. She captures her academic research and how this is both reflected in and informs her creativity.

Take a behind scenes look into Melissa’s final video work ‘Atua Otua Kalou’ she created for Fale-ship residency. With help from her friend Shanie, Melissa has documented her creative process – from research, to making, to experimenting with space, light and sound.

Filmed by @shanieprasad

Watch Melissa’s final work ‘Atua Otua Kalou‘
moving image, running time 02:13, Dimensions 1920 × 1080, 2020, Filming by Shanie Prasad. 

In my FALE-ship work I’ve focused on my journey with spiritualism and shamanism. Shamanism, for me, is about healing.  

In my academic studies of the practice of shamanism, there is a common thread of the initiation experience across multiple cultures. The prospective shaman passes out and is pulled down to Puluto (or the cultures version of the underworld) and shown images of their physical body being ripped apart in front of their eyes and put back together again. This happens so they may learn how to heal themselves and ultimately others. They then gain consciousness and begin practicing as a shaman with the new acquired knowledge.  

The words “Atua”, “Otua”, “Kalou” translates to God in Maori, Samoan, Tongan and Fijian. The first section of the video is depicting meditative chanting that helps the shaman submit to the force that takes them under. The second half of the moving image depicts the shaman conversing with their ancestors in Puluto (show through the text). I also paid respects to the Maori concept of Te Kore with the deep shadows and ambiguous audio. The aesthetic of the ancestor covered in blood, also pays homage to Lilith, the divine feminine. 

Q+A with Melissa and Marie

Marie discusses challenges Melissa faced during her residency and how maintaining a positive mindset is the key to success!

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:  
Marie Filipo 
Musician, Motivational Speaker 
Samoan/Chinese 
South Auckland, Aotearoa 
IG: @marie_filipo | @mariefilipomusic 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us 
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Talofa lava! Introducing DJ, Documenter and Performance Installation Artist Tuafale Tanoa’i aka Linda.T!

Samoan | Lufilufi, Sasa’ai, Leauva’a 
Tāmaki Makaurau, Aotearoa 
IG: @tuafale1962 | Twitter: @LindaT12dec
www.lindat.art

Her practice aims to document and share community stories, generating a living archive. Her kaupapa has been described as one that is based on koha – often made with and gifted back to the communities she is engaged with. 

Tuafale shares an insight on her 2 part documentary short called Chasing Chaka 2018: A Healing Adventure (a rough cut) created during her Fale-ship residency. 

Part 1 of Tuafale’s documentary short – Chasing Chaka 2018: A Healing Adventure (a rough cut).

“It was an enjoyably intense experience. I was glad to be home to focus on different aspects of the build & the many choices which shrunk as time disappeared. Reflecting on my builds – there’s been a definite covid tinge to them.Having a week to focus on one project has been a gratifying gift.” 

– Tuafale Tanoa’i 

Enjoy Part 2 of Tuafale’s documentary short – Chasing Chaka 2018: A Healing Adventure (a rough cut).

Q+A with Tuafale & Marie

Marie sits down with Tuafale to chat about her Fale-ship journey and driving force behind her travel adventures and getting to see the “Queen of Funk” aka Chaka Khan in real life!

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:  
Marie Filipo 
Musician, Motivational Speaker 
Samoan/Chinese 
South Auckland, Aotearoa 
@marie_filipo | @mariefilipomusic 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us 
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Ni sa bula vinaka, Aloha, Talofa lava, Kia orana! Introducing fashion designer and creative mind behind Papa Clothing, Keva Rands.

Fiji, Hawaiʻi, Sāmoa and Tongareva
Avondale, Auckland
IG: @papa__clothing
ww.papaclothing.co.nz

Keva’s Fale-ship highlights how one can always be learning and developing and how she maintains her sustainable practice.

From sewing and cutting on her dining room table, Keva has now grown Papa Clothing to have a new studio space in Avondale, creating inclusive clothing that is inspired by the women in her family and their connections to the Pacific.

Learn about the kaupapa of Papa Clothing and follow Keva’s process as she creates the ‘Mama Dress’ during her Tautai Fale-ship residency.

Keva has generously made her ‘Design Checklist for Small Labels’ a free resource!
DOWNLOAD IT HERE

“Papa’s goal is to uplift our Queer and Pacific communities, and this is reflected back through all of Papa’s imagery and behind the scenes team members and collaborators.”

– Keva Rands

Q+A with Keva & Rosanna

Rosanna sits down with Keva to talk about how her Fale-ship enriched her creative process and her inspiring new creative space in Avondale.

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:
Rosanna Raymond | @rosannaraymond | Sistar S’Pacific
Cult.VA.tor, FAB.ricator, Acti.VA.tor
NZ Born Samoan/Palagi

“It’s been really amazing being able to talk to other people, ask questions, get definite industry-standard answers on what everything I’m doing is supposed to look like.”

– Keva Rands

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us 
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Fakaalofa atu! Introducing distinguished sculptor Chris Van Doren.

Niuean / Sāmoan / Dutch | Alofi North
North Shore – Auckland, Aotearoa
IG: @chris.van.doren.artist

Chris’s works have evolved over the years and still retain the essence of the vaka, the land and sea with flow movement, lines and form. Growing up in Aotearoa also influenced his practice, such as the beaches, landscapes, beautiful sunsets and memories of swimming in the Moana.

Tamaki Makaurau based artist Chris Van Doren has taken part in numerous exhibitions and symposiums across Asia-Pacific and has been a three-time finalist in Aotearoa’s World of Wearable Arts. Chris is currently a resident artist at Corban’s Estate Arts Centre, he uses methods and skills he developed in his background as a panel beater to work with unconventional materials when creating his sculptures.

Chris gives us a behind the scenes look into where he draws inspiration for his large scale sculptures. From sketches to miniature sculptures, we get an exciting glimpse into his creative process and workspace.

Chris shares motion images from his workshop of his progress on the Niuean katoua he has been carving. We get insight into the tools and techniques he uses when sculpting.

“I feel my creative process stems from when I made a workspace under our family house in Waiuku when I was a young man. I created things like huts in the forest, from material sources found in the neighborhood, like bits of wood and steel from empty houses and other things I could find..”

– Chris Van Doren

Chris shares a montage his concepts, ranging from previous works to his works in progress. Here he highlights his techniques and methods he employs to achieve a smooth and effortless finish to all his sculptures!

Final Works

Titled “FIRE” this video focuses on the process of making a traditional Niuean Katoua club. He began sculpting the Katoua in the first lockdown and was able to take the time during his Fale-Ship to complete it. Watch Chris make this incredible and rare piece of Niuean taonga here!

This video features many Chris’ large and small scale works he has created over the years. Chris communicates his deep knowledge and skill for sculpting traditional art forms. Here we see a number of his works in progress come to life.

Rosanna and Chris talk about his unique source of inspiration during this Q+A Talanoa!

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:
Rosanna Raymond | @rosannaraymond | Sistar S’pacific
Cult.VA.tor, FAB.ricator, Acti.VA.tor
NZ Born Samoan/Palagi
Falefa/Tāmaki Makaurau
West Auckland, Aotearoa

Talofa lava! Introducing multidisciplinary practitioner Jasmine Tuiā.

Matautu and Gagaifo, Anoāma’a Falefā and Malifa Apia, Samoa.
West Auckland,  Aotearoa
IG: @jasminetuia

Her practice explores the concepts of the Pacific body and indigenous Samoan narrative through mediums of print, photography, moving image and tapa (Siapo) making.

Influenced by histories, conversations, and land cases from the village of Matautu Lefaga Samoa, her work talks on the re-representation and reclamation of Pacific identity, as well as reinforcing the importance of indigenous voice.

“Being at home has reminded me of the importance of family dynamics and community kinships in the making and collecting of materials for my works – especially with my tapa/siapo practice…When preparing to dye tapa, I am accompanied and supported by my younger siblings. When I’m in my room writing or researching, my family’s noise somehow helps me focus and keeps me grounded. The same when I’m embroidering tapa; I either have to be in the kitchen with my parents making dinner, or be in our living room listening to music, while my younger brothers try to show me a tik tok dance. These are some of the things I acknowledge and enjoy in my process.”

– Jasmine Tuiā

Jasmine shares her creative workspace in West Auckland, her process experimenting with eco-dying and stitching of tapa and the family dynamics of working from home and how that has influenced her work.

Become fully immersed in Jasmine’s creative process as she works on stitching and dyeing her siapo, surrounded by the sounds of West Auckland and her family.

“Reflecting on our Samoan practices of Siapo, this residency explores how my making connects me to our Samoan Siapo narratives and textile practices through remembering and nurturing family oral stories.”

– Jasmine Tuiā

Bird song, pop music faintly playing and the crunch of dried leaves under foot. ‘sounds around home’ audibly captures Jasmine’s creative workspace and process. Sit back and enjoy the sounds of West Auckland.

Check out this video collage ‘West Akl” featuring Jasmine’s home, the back drop to her creative process and where she gathered materials to eco-dye her siapo.

Jasmine shares her completed siapo featuring her Aunty Shirley, accompanied by a piece of writing titled ‘Return to Paradise’ inspired by her village of Matautu Lefaga.

Rosanna sits down with Jasmine to chat about how creating at home has sparked conversations with her younger siblings  in this Q+A Talanoa…

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:
Rosanna Raymond | @rosannaraymond | Sistar S’pacific
Cult.VA.tor, FAB.ricator, Acti.VA.tor
NZ Born Samoan/Palagi
Falefa/Tāmaki Makaurau
West Auckland, Aotearoa

“…my little brother, he’s three, and he’ll just come ask me questions about the tapa, the siapo and why I do it. And then when I answer something he’ll ask more questions…which is really nice cause then I’ll just tell him stories my great grandma has told me, even though he doesn’t understand it. I just hope somewhere in there it’s just engrained in his mind. That would be the highlight, just having conversations while making.”
– Jasmine Tuiā

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Kia ora koutou! Introducing multi-disciplinary artist Jamie (James) Waititi. 

Maori (Te Whanau a Apanui, Te Rarawa, Ngapuhi) with French Canadian, English, Scottish, American, Norwegian descent 
Waihau Bay, Aotearoa 
@sissyboijay

James explores how we as Moana artists position ourselves around decolonisation and how we can reposition the trajectory to centre our tipuna rather than colonisation. This is called ReIndigenisation or ReMaorification / ReMoanafication.

With an obsession with ancient Maori stories, James is developing an understanding of a time when narratives of humankind were believed to have lived alongside the gods.  

James was introduced to these stories through paintings, carvings, weaving and literature at a very young age and continues to find modern methods of storytelling to share this understanding with others; be it through regalia, performance, sound and digital media. 

“The purpose of my submission is to speak to the process it took to reach my contribution for FAFSWAG’s 22nd Biennale of Sydney online exhibition CODESWITCH. My diptych digital works were made for computers or walls. The larger frames allow the artwork to encompass the viewer and seduce a sense of freedom in space; a sense of escapism. There is something nostalgic about escaping home, away from diaspora and back to the foundations of your cultural make up. I have returned home and with that the final layer of my work appeared and the work itself had new meaning.” 

Jaimie (James) Waititi

ReMoanafication – Wisdom: Ka mua, ka muri  

“Our wisdom can only be knowledge for our kin if we process the information we have been fed before passing it on. Otherwise what is the point? When information is regurgitated through us unfiltered, what is the point? What is the point of a filter that doesn’t filter? If it is not for our kin, why do we exist?” 

Jaimie (James) Waititi

ReMoanafication – The D and why I am done with it  

Rosanna and James connect over lockdown in this Q+A talanoa discussing creative processes and the importance of showcasing the diversity of Moana artists.

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:
Rosanna Raymond | @rosannaraymond | Sistar S’pacific
Cult.VA.tor, FAB.ricator, Acti.VA.tor
NZ Born Samoan/Palagi
Falefa/Tāmaki Makaurau 
West Auckland, Aotearoa

Listen in as James discusses the idea of ReMoanafication and how we can reclaim sovereignty without acknowledge colonisation…

“By claiming ReMoanafication I want to take that acknowledgement back to us as navigators! Constantly navigating the Pacific Ocean and that sense that we were always travelling between the islands and we were one, and that sense of unity…”

– Jaimie (James) Waititi

James discusses the importance of understanding hidden histories and where the transition between pre-colonial to colonial changed the way that we consider ourselves in particular Queer Moana people.

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please email us
Tautai.org #tautai4lyfe

Talofa lava! Introducing international opera singer, creative director and exponent of art Sani Muliaumaseali’i

Samoan | Upolu – Vaiala, Fasito’outa / Savai’i – Pu’apu’a 
Whakatane, Aotearoa

Follow Sani’s journey this week as he shares his residency experience and explores the challenges of lockdown through improvisation, experimentation and pure resilience

Sani has appeared in Opera and most forms of music theatre, film, radio and television in many parts of the world including touring with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Longborough Opera. Recent credits include the Olivier award-winning production of Porgy and Bess and Britten’s War Requiem (2018) for the English National Opera and Dutch National Opera in 2019.  

In 2011, Sani co-founded the GAFA Arts Collective (GAC), London’s first Samoan arts collective and he is the creative director & producer. The collective is a cross-cultural and disciplinary group of London-based artists primarily focused on Samoan Art practice and culture reflecting ancestral roots. In 2016, The GAC were granted the honour of representing Samoa at the Festival of Pacific Arts. 

Sani is also a theatre-maker and writer. In 2018 Sani wrote the play ‘Talune’ in remembrance of the Samoan victims of the flu pandemic of 1918. It premiered at NZ House in London to much acclaim. His other theatre works include ‘The Third Country’ for the Royal Court in 2015, his play with songs ‘Kava Girls’ was ‘Pick of the Edinburgh Fringe’ 2014, and Baba the Bad baboon’ 2017, a musical for younger audiences is now an audio book. Sani’s writing for the stage takes strength from his Samoan/Pasefika heritage. 

Sani shares his creative workspace in Whakatane and takes us on the journey to create the CARPARK OPERA, a theatre piece developed in response to Covid and the Aotearoa lockdown.   

Carpark Opera

Sani Muliaumaseali’i presents CARPARK OPERA – a live entertainment option in response to the COVID 19 pandemic. A series of free live music concerts in the Bay of Plenty in NEW WORLD car parks akin to the drive-in movie concept.  

CARPARK OPERA would be the first concert in the CCS (Carpark Concert Series), designed to safely bring communities together to enjoy and to be inspired by live music.  

“…the concerts have been parked. COVID is teaching us to be resilient. No funding was proving to be my own mini COVID, but the lack thereof, sharpens my creativity and resourcefulness. The experience has spawned new collaborations, connections and new material, which I courageously share as my Fale-Ship.” 

– Sani Muliaumaseali’i

Get an insight into Sani’s rehearsal process from warm-up techniques to the final run-through of the song ‘Make Them Hear You’ from Ragtime. 

Q+A with Sani and INF

Sani shares the challenges he faced working away from his London base and the freedom of creating during lockdown in this Q+A Talanoa with @infmusic … 

INF: “What were some of your highlights and challenges you came across during the residency?” 

SM: “…Lockdown. No noise. I didn’t have to be anywhere, I didn’t have to be anything. I didn’t have to be the singer or the producer… I could just sort out goals – who I really wanted to be post-covid…” 

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:  
Amon ‘INF’ Tyson | @infmusic | @infmusicnz
Artist, Director, Creative. 1 of 5 members of SWIDT 
Songwriter/Producer – SWIDT 
Samoan/Niuean 
312 Onehunga, Aotearoa 
swidt.co.nz

Recorded LIVE in his bathroom Sani performs a stirring rendition of ‘Make Them Hear You’ from the musical Ragtime developed during his Fale-ship Home Residency.  

“My reSILIence kept me safely creating at home during COVID. Resilience by nature is improvisation, experimentation, toughness and ultimately transformative. We will need all of these traits if we are to entertain any type of future.”

Sani Muliaumaseali’i 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For more information please email us
#Tautai4lyfe

Mālō e lelei! Introducing Tongan choreographer and dancer Lyncia Muller

Tongan | Nuku’alofa, Fatai, Lakepa 
South Auckland, Aotearoa 
@cia_muller | Lyncia Muller

Follow her Fale-ship journey this week as she explores the ways in which she improvises and creates movement at home instead of in the studio.  

Tamaki Makaurau based creative Lyncia Muller is passionate about dance, theatre and her cultural roots. Lyncia is a graduate from the Unitec Institute of Technology in Contemporary dance and the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts (PIPA). With a strong background in Urban, Pacific dance and Contemporary dance, she looks forward to contributing to this evolving arts industry. Lyncia has created dance and theatre works that have been performed at the Basement theatre, Pacific Dance Festival, and Auckland Art Gallery. 

Lyncia gives us a glimpse of her creative workspace where she explores the poetry of Selina Tusitala Marsh and interprets her own rendition in her new choreographed dance titled ‘Promise Corners’.

A sneak peak behind the scenes into Lyncia’s improvisation choreography – an integral part of her process and final development!

Watch Lyncia’s final choreographed piece titled ‘Promise Corners’

Song: Ladi6 – Ikarus 

Q+A with Lyncia and INF

“I think it’s really exciting for me but… I think it’s more nerve wracking, for people to see my creative processes, my vulnerability and how I create choreography.”

– Lyncia Muller

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:  
Amon ‘INF’ Tyson | @infmusic | @infmusicnz
Artist, Director, Creative. 1 of 5 members of SWIDT 
Songwriter/Producer – SWIDT 
Samoan/Niuean 
312 Onehunga, Aotearoa 
swidt.co.nz

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For more information please email us
#Tautai4lyfe

Talofa lava! Introducing Samoan/Chinese multi-medium artist Elisabeth Kumaran.  

Sāmoan/Chinese
Vailele, Ulutogia, Aleipata, Vailoa Palauli and Southern China 
@elisalani |Elisabeth Kumaran

Follow her Fale-ship journey this week as she takes us behind the scenes of her incredible stop-motion clips and clever use of wordplay. 

Elisabeth was born in Aukilani (Auckland), raised in South Auckland (Otara, Manurewa) and now resides in Mangere with her husband. She is a multi-medium artist who primarily works with words to create wordplays using the Samoan and English languages. Elisabeth is also co-founder of the ManaRewa Arts Collective where they mentor visual artists who live in (or have connections with) Manurewa to develop and grow in their art practice. 

Elisabeth takes us on a journey as she explores her creative space, process and inspiration behind her work from home! Join her as she highlights her creative processes and final stop-motion videos created during her Fale-Ship residency. 

Watch Elisabeth’s vlog compilation as she takes us on a journey exploring her creative ideas, processes and inspiration behind her works! 

We’re excited to share this series of Elisabeth’s final stop-motion videos created during her Fale-ship residency! She reflects on her Samoan culture using everyday objects which are animated through her clever use of wordplay.

 Q+A with Elisabeth and INF 

“This time has been a real taonga to me. I’ve had this va or this space to reflect on myself as an artist and develop my art practice.” 

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: 
Amon ‘INF’ Tyson | @infmusic | @infmusicnz
Artist, Director, Creative. 1 of 5 members of SWIDT 
Songwriter/Producer – SWIDT 
Samoan/Niuean 
312 Onehunga, Aotearoa 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For more information please email us
#Tautai4lyfe

Fakaalofa lahi atu! Introducing Niuean Māori artist Iata Peautolu!

Niuean/Maori
Tauranga, Aotearoa
@fekaiata | Iata Peautolu

Born and raised in Hamilton, Iata is a multidisciplinary artist who is known for his tamoko and tatatau practice. Inspired by his Maori and Niuean lineage his exhibition ‘Son of A Savage’ featured a combination of imagery from both connections, and also highlighted his skills as an illustrator and painter. The iconography in his work investigates migration and navigation practices from the Pacific, which he uses to develop his visual narratives within his work.

Iata takes pride in his dual heritage which is reflected within his work from tatatau, painting, illustration to graphic design. He draws his creativity from his urban upbringing in Hamilton and the art culture that continues to evolve in this modern world. Iata is a contemporary Polynesian artist whose ambition is to showcase the beauty, strength, dignity and mana of his people through his lens.

Follow Iata this week as he shares the visual language of hiapo through his incredible process of creating tatatau Niue during his Fale-ship residency.

A sneak peek into Iata’s creative process and driving force behind his dedication to Niue tatatau!

Tune in as Iata shares his creative workspace and the process of marking his client with a Hiapo inspired tatatau Niuean sleeve

“…my mahi, it really is a contemporary take on our beautiful hiapo that is a real taonga, a real treasure for us as Niueans…”

– Iata Peautolu

Q+A Talanoa with Iata and INF

So cool to see Pacific creatives inspiring each other!! Watch as INF and Iata connect over the emotional reward of sharing art, being Niuean and Yohji Yamamoto!

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by:
Amon ‘INF’ Tyson| @infmusic | @infmusicnz
Artist, Director, Creative. 1 of 5 members of SWIDT
Songwriter/Producer – SWIDT
Samoan/Niuean
312 Onehunga, Aotearoa
swidt.co.nz

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For more information please email us
#Tautai4lyfe

Talitali fiefia! Introducing the mother and daughter duo Tui Emma Gillies and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows!

Tongan | Falevai, Vava’u / NZ
Northland & South Auckland, Aotearoa
Instagram | Facebook | Tui’s Website | Sulieti’s Email

Tui Emma Gillies & Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows are New Zealand based Tongan artists specialising in tapa art. Their work mixes can be challenging, confronting and controversial, but always with respect to the roots of the medium and the ancestors who practised it before them.

They have received grants from Creative New Zealand towards collaborative art projects and were the recipients of the Creative New Zealand Heritage Art Award in 2018. They have exhibited and presented their work across the globe and sold works to private buyers, including The Royal Academy of Art in London (during Oceania) The National Gallery of Victoria Melbourne, The University of Hawaii Hilo and Auckland Museum. Sulieti was recently made an MNZM in the New Zealand New Year’s honours.

Specialising in tapa art, the pair shares a deep dive into their creative processes throughout their Fale-ship residency.

Tui & Sulieti share insights into their creative processes and context behind their new artwork after coming out of lockdown!

Watch this behind-the-scenes time lapse of Tui & Sulieti creating their incredible new work!

“How do Pacific Islanders deal with isolation? The answer is simple: Fāmili”

– Tui Emma Gillies

The final tapa piece completed by Tui & Sulieti during their Fale-ship residency, a new artwork entitled Fāmili

Q+A Talanoa with Tui, Sulieti & Benji Timu

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: 
Benji Timu | @thelifestyleofbenji | @BenjiTimu
Filmmaker/Architect
Sāmoan/Kuki Airani/Niue | Letogo/Aitutaki/Mangaia
East Auckland, Aotearoa 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please

27/07/2020

Ni sa bula vinaka! Introducing photographer, digital artist and poet Natasha Ratuva. 

Natasha Ratuva | @dotnut2014 
Fijian | Naioti, Kadavu
Tribal and ancestral affiliation: Navutu
Central Auckland, Aotearoa

Follow as she shares her home workspace, creative process and reflects on her Fale-ship experience.  

Born and raised in Suva, Fiji. Natasha was also raised in Australia, U.S, NZ and the U.K. Her parents, both Fijian intellectuals, activists, philosophers, academic, art lovers both contemporary and traditional in their approach to raising her and her brother.

This heavily influenced the lens with which she perceived creativity. The art that she creates today is largely inspired by being raised as an Indigenous Fijian woman in a post-colonial society. She loves to celebrate the oneness of indigenous peoples by interrogating the geo-political borders that colonialism has structured around us.

Natasha’s creative expression is also stirred by her search for identity which she wishes to pass down to future generations. Above everything she aims to center her Moana family, connections to land, ocean, lineages and how they have overcome, survived and continue to prosper.

Get an insight into Natasha’s creative workspace and inspiration behind her new artworks! 

“Our resilience is impenetrable because our joys and struggles are part of a bigger circle of stories that keep us forever bound and woven into Moana.” 

– Natasha Ratuva

Check out these amazing new artworks created by Natasha during her Fale-ship residency! 

Q+A Talanoa with Natasha Ratuva & Benji Timu

Q+A Talanoa facilitated by: 
Benji Timu | @thelifestyleofbenji | @BenjiTimu
Filmmaker/Architect
Sāmoan/Kuki Airani/Niue | Letogo/Aitutaki/Mangaia
East Auckland, Aotearoa 

View all the FALE-SHIPS here

For further information please Tautai.org  #tautai4lyfe

We have launched the highly anticipated Tautai Fale-ship Home Residency digital series!

TAUTAI FALE-SHIP Home Residencies will feature 20 Moana artists each week over five months through our website and social media platforms between July – December 2020

FEATURING:
Natasha Ratuva | Tui Emma Gillies & Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows | Iata Peautolu | Elisabeth Kumaran | Lyncia Muller | Sani Muliaumaseali’i | Keva Rands | Jaimie Waititi | Chris Van Doren | Jasmine Tuia | Tuafale Tanoai | Melissa Gilbert | Salvador Brown | Christopher Ulutupu | Fa’amele Etuale | Rawiri Brown | Tyla Vaeau | Michael Mulipola | Ashleigh Taupaki | John Ioane

Moana artists make some of their best work at home; at the kitchen table, in living rooms surrounded by family, in bedrooms and garages, in home studios where we feel safe and connected to those around us. We are constantly creating and thinking of new ideas, informed by the people and places that give life to our creativity.

“Now is the time, more than ever, to celebrate and support artists in our own back yard.”

– Courtney Sina Meredith, Tautai Director

Artists will undertake a 1-week deep dive into exploring the creative processes behind their work and share an insight into their home practice as artists in residence, responding to a period of global transformation through a localised lens. Experienced digitally but grounded in the physical, the TAUTAI FALE-SHIP Home Residencies place value on the everyday experiences of Moana artists operating in their own centres.

This initiative aims to encourage meaningful connections through the digital Moana as we slowly navigate a new sense of normality due to the global pandemic of COVID-19.

Follow our wave as we navigate the digital Moana together:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

For further information please email us
Tautai.org
#LocalThinking #LocalMaking #tautai4lyfe