Traditional Samoan Tattooing at University of Auckland

Traditional Samoan Tattooing at University of Auckland

The rarely seen process of traditional Samoan tattooing will be open for all to view as part of a programme to encourage the preservation of traditional Pacific knowledge through the Centre for Pacific Studies at The University of Auckland.

Tufuga ta tatau (tattoo master) Su’a Suluape Alaiva’s Petelo Suluape, well-known for both his contemporary and traditional tattooing will take up one of four of the University’s Heritage Artists in Residencies for 2011. During his month-long visit Su’a is scheduled create a full-male tatau on University of Auckland PhD candidate Falaniko Tominiko.

Director of the Centre for Pacific Studies, Walter Fraser says: “The Heritage Artists in Residence is a pioneering programme for traditional Pacific art.” The month-long residencies at the University will allow Pacific Heritage artists to work full-time on a project based at the Centre’s Fale Pasifika. They will run from April to October covering both traditional male and female master crafts (Tongan ngatu, Niuean weaving, Samoan tattoo and Tongan lashing) and will be complemented with a public programme of events and workshops designed to maintain heritage arts and make them more accessible to Pacific communities and the wider public.

Otaota Fahina Society, a group of women textile artists from Mt Roskill, will be the first group of resident artists. From April to May a large ngatu (Tongan tapa) will be created by the women who will also instruct students from bilingual units from three Auckland high schools in the art and significance of kupesi (rubbing tablets). The participatory-style of the tapa-making in the community atmosphere of the Fale will provide an ideal an environment in which the students are emmersed in language as well as heritage arts.

Staggered throughout May will be a collective of Niuean women weavers creating hats, mats and baskets and led by master-weaver and Creative New Zealand Senior Pacific Artist award-winner Matafetu Smith.

Finally Tufuga Lalava Filipe Tohi, master in traditional Tongan lashing, and creator of the lashings inside the University’s Fale, will work on a new installation.

Walter Fraser says: “This residency programme will strengthen heritage art forms of Pacific communities in New Zealand and the Pacific. We want the community to know that the University is a place for them. We want to open up the Fale to its more traditional function as a centre for community and learning and a place where Pacific knowledge prospers.”

ENDS

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