Alofa mo ‘oe by Fatu Feu’u / Mixed media on canvas / 2021 / $6,500

“I like my art to be like my culture, so that it has some meaning and something for the people to value in the future. It is not easy, but that’s what I felt I wanted to do.” ~ Fatu Feu’u

My beloved friend was invited to display some of her artwork in a funky shed this past weekend, as part of a privately curated art show put together by Andy Leleisi’uao and Leela Bhai. Above, is not her artwork, but one of the other exhibited pieces that apparently interested some university professors for the same reason it gets a mention here; words on canvas.

Mixed-media if not aesthetically pleasing at first glance, gets a second wind upon knowing the story behind the piece, as if the prestige of an artist reflects favorably back onto the overall canvas, promoting further thought. Words on/as artwork does that for me, words spur my interest, which isn’t something I can say about all mixed-media. Fatu Feu’u imbued “Alofa mo ‘oe” with meaning, but it took written words to stop me long enough to engage with it, which all art should. ‘Come closer and have a moment with me,’ art should say. “Alofa mo ‘oe” just happens to say a little more —— I love you.

The following mixed-media artwork is by Vaimaila Urale, and although nothing was written nor were any letters used, it was conceived in a challenge to create imagery using only the forward slash, backslash, greater-than, and less-than typographical marks commonly used in computing, but also intrinsic to traditional Samoan art ( / \ > < ).

Fa’avae Tuli / Acrylic on stretched canvas, adhesive film / 2021 / $350
Tusi Lili’i / Acrylic on stretched canvas, adhesive film / 2021 / $390
Taimane / Acrylic on stretched canvas, adhesive film / 2021 / $350
Oneone on teal / Acrylic on stretched canvas, adhesive film / 2021 / $325

“As a visual artist, placing Samoan symbols and motifs at the root of my art practice is vital and empowering. Drawing on digital vernacular I am consciously engaging within the continuum of knowledge systems and patterns unique to the Moana, allowing me to create dialogue and articulate meaning in contemporary spaces.” ~ Vaimaila Urale

The idea itself may sound lackluster to the ear, but poet Vaimaila Urale through this minimalist approach has created visual arrangements using something I imagine most artists come to admire of the creative process—constraints.

Just thought I should share those.

Mixed-media can be intriguing if not ingenious. There is always something to admire in words and graphemes, even if the artwork is not entirely my……

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Cup of Tea by LITB / Pilcrow and underscore on weblog / 2021 / Not for sale