For a Pacific Islander artist it has been a dream to be here. Ever since I was young I was always on a search for artists,writers, photographers, and that looked like me or shared my history. In a America that has been a challenge but I believe my tribe of Pacific Islander creators constantly creating. My first week here,in metaphorical terms is like someone fucking me in the ear with pacific islander art and its not like my head will explode but its like its been saving a piece of my brain for that specifically to net filled to its capacity while Im here.
My first day here we went up to Mt. Eden to so I can learn the geography approximately Auckland, its not that vast a friend told me she walked the whole city in 4 hours. Later that night I went to see a play called "Black Faggot", or my new artist friend Leanne (she has become my favorite Mormon) took me. In Aotearoa,anyone who is Pacific Islander is called black because we're not white. Powerful play especially to watch it with Leanne who has such an open mind to gayness even as a devout Mormon.
Leanne has been like my new artist mother, showing me around and taking me and my brain to be filled with art, and specifically Pacific Islander art. So for the next weeks I'll be dropping you all lines and photos while Im out here. Kia ora from AucklandPlays they need to bring to America,"Black Faggot"
One of my favorite artists, Samoan photographer Greg Semu. One of the first artists to document the Samoan Tautaus
Maori murals of the Wairua, or a spirit
Went to The Gibbs Farm,a crazy farm where a rich guy collects structual pieces of art as well as wild animals roaming. This is sculptor's Anish Kapoor's piece "Disememberment".
First time petting and feeding a giraffe.
Watching the zebras roam approximately.
Was having a conversation approximately this artist with a friend, Tanu Gago. Finally seeing his remarkable work widely here in Auckland.(Read more of Jean Melesaine's Aotearoa Chronicles by clicking here.)
Source: siliconvalleydebug.org