Creative ID: 455
Greater Wellington, including Hutt Valley and Kapiti Coast
My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)
I am a Pacific Island artist of Samoan descent and am passionate about celebrating the Polynesian culture. I am especially passionate about Siapo, Samoan design construction. The artform allows for individual creative expression. A narrative within a collective. Siapo can be applied to a wide range of materials and scales. I have become a specialist in creating large-scale murals with groups of different ages and abilities. A link to my website is available on request.
My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with
I have been involved in a number of locally-based collective and individual artist and mural projects – further details are available on request.
Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes
I have a long history of teaching. I trained as a secondary teacher working in London for a period. I also taught at Whitiriea Arts Department. Recently, I have been facilitating school art projects funded by Porirua City council, HLC and Wellington Council.
Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice
I want to be part of the creation of a new art form 'Siapo Aotearoa'. I have a passion for teaching young people and keeping the tradition of Siapo alive and relevant. I aspire to give the young people I work with a positive experience of Samoan culture.