Shigeyuki Kihara

Ulugali'i Samoa - Samoan Couple

Ulugali'i Samoa - Samoan Couple by Shigeyuki Kihara

Artwork Detail

'In old Samoa, 'faleaitu' (house of spirits) was theatre performed by men presenting political satire in skits in front of the chiefs. The men of 'faleaitu' were respected as entertainers and simultaneously served as social commentators to the wider community.

It is the ancient practice of 'faleaitu' which led me to create my recent body of work entitled 'Fa'a fafine; in a manner of a woman' 2005, a series of photographic self portraits where I disguise myself to portray a Samoan man, a woman, and a married couple. These works pay homage to my ancestors and to simultaneously subvert the dominant western heterosexual 'normalcy' that continues to conflict with the existence of fa'afafine people today.'

Statement by Yuki Kihara

Title
Ulugali'i Samoa - Samoan Couple
Artist/creator
Shigeyuki Kihara
Production date
2005
Medium
C-type print mounted on aluminium
Dimensions
800 x 600 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, gift of the Patrons of the Auckland Art Gallery, 2008
Accession no
2008/11/3
Copyright
Copying restrictions apply
Department
New Zealand Art
Display status
Not on display

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