Space, support and funding integral to Pasifika artists thriving

A contemporary Pasifika artist says more support is needed for artists to create authentic work and build sustainable careers.

“There are hundreds of artists that are screaming for help, that don't always know where to go for help,” says Fa’amele Etuale.

“The three basic things any artist needs are space, funding, and support.”

The Samoan Chinese artist is self-taught and trained in contemporary jewellery after completing her studies at MIT. She also does workshops in the community on creating lei (garlands of flower necklaces) and other creative projects.

Etuale says it's special to showcase her "Calling Heaven" exhibition at the Māngere Arts Centre, especially being born and raised in Māngere. Photo / Māngere Arts Centre

Her latest exhibition, Calling Heaven was showcased at Māngere Arts Centre for four weeks before its final show earlier this month. It touched on several themes including grief, sadness, love, healing and triumph, and invited viewers to dream of possibilities where heaven and space cannot separate people from their loved ones.

"This exhibition reminds us that the pain of loss highlights the presence of loved ones in our lives. This message is especially for her father, expressing that not even worlds could keep them apart," said the exhibition's display information.

The show included installations which the local board helped fund, including a section with desks that had telephones for people to call their loved ones who had died.

The phone and cloud installation, where people can call their loved ones in heaven, reiterate the themes in Etuale's exhibition of grief, connection & healing. Photo / LDR Mary Afemata

“My sister did a call," Etuale says.

"She'd been carrying a lot since 2013. She said when she sat down to make her call, that was the first time she could feel that she could let it go.

“I know how important it is for people to have a space where they can let go of something that hurts them and makes them feel sad."

Etuale says there’s a significant need for funding and support for local artists, as these are the people who have important experiences and knowledge to share.

“They can create more creative people. They can show younger people, ‘hey, I can make a career out of this. I can do this'.”

Fa'amele Etuale says that making art is essential to her; it's a part of her being. "When people experience it, that's the biggest reward for me." She has workshops teaching others how to create bouquets, small objects, and lei's. Photo / Māngere Arts Centre

Although she has exhibited her work in other galleries, this was her first time showcasing her work at the Māngere Arts Centre.

“I was born and raised in Māngere, so that's my home turf. And for a long time, I wasn't able to exhibit my work there. I do not know why, but I guess everything has its time," she says.

“That's why the show in Māngere is absolutely so special to me and my family.”

Etuale says that a local board member said to her, “welcome home" in response to her exhibition, a touching response that made her family cry.

“I used to be a little girl that used to walk around those places and those spaces around Māngere Town Centre. You know, we used to go to those places with my parents."

Etuale says that her exhibition is her work that spans over 20-something years. Pictured in the frame is her father. "I'm able to make work now that honors my family, my parents that are no longer with us." Photo / Māngere Arts Centre

Outside of this exhibition, Etuale is also grateful to Te Tuhi in Pakuranga, a gallery and community space, for its support.

“They provided me with a studio space for a whole year for free, rent free. They also support me in buying materials.”

She says funding has its challenges for artists.

“If you don't love it and you don't live for it, you're not going to be able to last the longevity of, because it's hard to make money. If you get commissions, if you sell work, that's a bonus.”

The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board helped to fund the exhibition and additional workshops, such as Etuale’s Lunchtime leis.

Of her exhibition, Etuale says, “I call it a labour of love because these are all the things that are very dear to me. Like it's the little particles that make me who I am. They're like little fragments. That's what's sitting at Māngere Arts.” Photo / LRD Mary Afemata

Local board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich says it’s essential to support Pasifika artists.

“Our artists do some great work, but it's also where we kind of weigh up mainstream art and Pacific art.

"Ours need to be out there [and] need to be displayed. And obviously, the Māngere Arts Centre is one of those spaces that allows for that because we do have quite a theme in terms of supporting our Pacific arts.”

And for any aspiring artists, Tauanu’u encourages them to conact the local board's arts broker to see if the local board can support, like they've been able to do for Etuale.

“I would encourage any aspiring artists to get in touch with the Mangere Arts Centre and request a conversation with Renee, our Arts Broker, to see how they can further their aspirations in whatever field of the arts that they're interested in.”