From painters to poets: Artists recognised in Pasifika Arts Awards

Eight Pasifika artists in New Zealand have been recognised for their achievements and contributions with the 2022 Pasifika Arts Awards.

The winners announced on Monday, boast various trades from painters to poets.

“The arts awards recognises artists of Pasifika descent in a whole range of genres from heritage arts through to contemporary arts” said Caren Rangi, awards organiser and chair of the Arts Council of New Zealand.

The most esteemed accolade, the Senior Pacific Artist Award worth $25,000 went to Auckland based painter Fatu Feu’u for his role as a leader within the Pacific arts community.

“One of the things he always says is that Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan Way) is the unifying element that underpins everything that he does”, said Caren.

“He’s been recognised by a range of organisations for his paintings, sculpture and woodwork. All his influence comes from Polynesian artforms and he has such a distinctive style that people recognise it as Fatu Feu’u’s.”

“Our senior Pasifika artist award is one of the most celebrated because it recognises people who have made contributions to the pacific landscape over a period of time.”

Kiwi-Fijian Poet Karen Kamali won the Pacific Heritage Arts Award. His creations are based on people and places, in particularly cities, islands, and the ocean. Tapa maker, Kulimoe’anga “Stone” Maka won Pacific Contemporary Artist Award. Visual storyteller Ululau Ama won the Pacific Toa Award, an accolade acknowledging talented Pasifika artists living with a disability. Novelist Fa’amoana John Luafutu and Troy Tu’ua who directed hit series Dawn Raids. Children’s book author Dahlia Malaeulu won Emerging Pacific Artist Award. Composer and sonic artist Joshua Pearson won Iosefa Enari Memorial Award.

Novelist Fa’amoana John Luafutu.
Photo: Supplied

Pasifika Arts Awards

Organised by the Arts Council of New Zealand, Pasifika Arts awards have been offered annually since 1996.

Caren Rangi said the awards highlighted creations of Pasifika artists, propelling them forward in their careers.

“One of the things the Pasifika art awards does is promotes the achievements not only to the pacific community but also for New Zealand as a whole”, Rangi said.

“This year, Yuki Kihara, a Samoan Japanese Fa’afafine artist was New Zealand’s representative at the Venice which is like the Olympics of the arts. So it was the first time we ever had a Pacific person representing New Zealand and she’s out there on the international stage and the level of exposure is huge, which is equally fabulous for Yuki and the Arts World. This is a really important vehicle for highlighting the talent and the value that Pasifika artist bring to New Zealand overall.”