Village: Sapapalii, Savaii
DOB: 28th June 1969
Place of Birth:
Sapapalii,
Savaii
Parents: (Mother) Lavenia Asiata
(Father) Papalii Muta
1.
Can you tell us a little about your school life
or educational background?
1984 – 1986: Leulumoega Fou College
1987 – 1988: Leulumoega Fou School of Fine Arts
1989 – 1992: After graduating with a Diploma in Fine Arts I gained a
scholarship to Japan to study Oriental Art and Design.
2.
Can you briefly tell us a little on what you
now do ?
I now have my own studio called Beautiful Expressions of Nature (B.E.N)
since I’ve always been inspired
by Nature and it’s Beauty. In my studio I paint, draw, sculpt and I
now take on young
apprentices.
My aim is firstly, to become a prominent artist, in order to be unique.
I am on my own now and I am planning to put up more exhibitions not only
in Samoa but overseas.
3.
What have you achieved as an artist?
(sculptures/paintings) ?
§
Solo Exhibition- Sponsored by the Australian Cultural Fund 1995
§
Participated in the consultative Workshop on Pacific Arts and Culture,
University of the South Pacific, Fiji 1995.
§
Participated in the first Artiade organised by Ars Movendi, Germany, in
Atlanta, USA 1996.
§
Teacher of Art, and organiser of art exhibitions; Leulumoega Fou School
of Fine Arts, Malua Samoa 1992-1996.
§
Commissioned to design and sculpt an 8 foot Wooden ‘Coca cola’
Bottle for exhibition at Coca cola Olympic salute to folk art, Atlanta,
U.S.A.
§
Represented Western Samoa in the contemporary art exhibition for the
Pacific Arts Festival, Samoa 1996.
§
Designed and constructed Stained Glass Windows and large scale Mural for
a church, Otara Auckland New Zealand 1997.
§
Commissioned to design and carve a gift from the state of Western Samoa
for the King of Tonga, King Taufaahau Tupou IV on his 80th
birthday. The sculpture is titled ‘Low Relief Sculpture of Malietoa
Faiga’.
§
Designed and sculpt signboards for names of two state owned buildings in
Samoa, ‘Parliament Lounge Named – ‘Luafatasaga Kalapu’ and
‘State House of Prayer ‘Faavae I le Atua Samoa’, Samoa 1998.
§
Participated in World Festival for Island Cultures, Cheju Korea, 1998.
4.
What is your favorite masterpiece and why?
I like all my paintings and sculptures, because they’re all
unique to me.
5.
What are your future goals?
To develop art in Samoa through teaching the young ones and to
build a Museum (art) in Samoa.
6.
What is your advice to the young people of
Samoa who want to pursue a career in Art?
Work hard, get formal training and believe in art. I know it’s
not easy to become an artist so do not give up easily. Try and work
together with other artists because from there you can share and
exchange ideas.
Faafetai
Photo
Album