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PASIFIKA DIVAS
Aotearoa New Zealand/Pacific Islands
 Pasifika Divas In performance, 14 September 2002 Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, 2002 Queensland Art Gallery Photography: Matthew Kassay |
Pasifika Divas is an interdisciplinary performance-based project devised by Samoan film-maker and televison producer Lisa Taouma. The project brings together a collective of Pacific Islander, Maori and Pakeha (European) performers, designers and artists from Aotearoa New Zealand. The Pasifika Divas collective consists of Sha-ne’ne’, Buckwheat, Lindah E, Phylesha Brown-Acton and Shigeyuki Kihara, and presents the work of artists, body adorners and designers, including Sofia Tekela-Smith, Niki Hastings-McFall, Alicia Courtney and Lara Kastelan.
More information
 Queens of the PacificPoster Pacific Peoples Project, New Zealand AIDS Foundation Te Tuuaapapa Mate Aaraikore o Aotearoa, 1999 |
 Tatijana at ‘Style Pasifika‘ 1999/2000 Courtesy: TVNZ and Tagata Pasifika, Aotearoa New Zealand |
Presented as an APT 2002 opening event on 14 September, In performance comprises a series of witty, subversive and provocative performance pieces alongside presentations of fashion and body adornment, dance music, and projections of still and moving images. The extravagant and political nature of this performance focuses attention on the diversity of human experience in contemporary Aotearoa New Zealand.
Historically, performance has played an important role in Pacific culture, allowing the expression of complex political and social opinions. In particular, parody has been used to discuss and communicate taboo subjects. The Divas have lent their unique style and humour to the New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s ‘Pacific peoples project’ posters, which are designed to raise awareness.
 Like our ancestorsPoster Pacific Peoples Project, New Zealand AIDS Foundation Te Tuuaapapa Mate Aaraikore o Aotearoa, 1999 |
 Bonnie at ‘Style Pasifika’ 1999/2000} Courtesy: TVNZ and Tagata Pasifika, Aotearoa New Zealand |
In performance employs the conventions of fale aitu (Samoan comedy) to address social and political issues, and to challenge notions of sexuality and gender identity. Some of the Divas belong to the fa’afafine community — a powerfully creative but under-recognised sector of the Pacific community. Fa’afafine means ‘like a woman’ in the Samoan language and denotes a complex gender identification.
 Niki Hastings-McFall Shopping from ‘Urban lei’ series 2002 Plastic bags, nylon thread Dimensions variable Collection: The artist Photograph: Matthew Kassay |
 Sofia Tekela-Smith wearing diridamu choker Courtesy: TVNZ and Tagata Pasifika, Aotearoa New Zealand |
Video documentation of In performance is presented in the Gallery alongside the body-adornment works of Sofia Tekela-Smith and Niki Hastings-McFall.
List of works in APT 2002
Artists and Works
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