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A voyage of exploration for Creative New Zealand Samoa Artist-in-Residence

These contents are marked as Pacific arts . Fine painter Ioane Ioane embarks on a voyage to his own culture and the craft of making a Va'aaolo (traditional fisher boat) as Creative New Zealand Samoa Arist in Residence 2018. The Residence is partnering with the National University of Samoa, with the assistance of the New Zealand High Commission in Apia, to offer three month in Apia for a medium level careers or an experienced New Zealand Pacific legacy performer to work on an artistic endeavour and further developing their abilities and practices.

An Ioane who was in Samoa for six years as a kid will investigate how to build a ten-meter-long Va'aalo, which he will finish when he returns to New Zealand. It is an important aim for Ioane to maintain the va'aalo craftsmanship and pass it on to the younger generation, who will be learning from the locals so that he can improve his abilities and pass on his know-how to the undergraduates.

It is also an occasion for Ioane to discover the imperial shipping legacy through a modern, multidisciplinary perspective on the Samoan canoeing and marine world. Leiataua Herbert Phineas, his deceased grandpa, spent 40 years living in Faatoia, Upolu, working for the NZ Union Steamship Company in Apia.

It was also the skipper of the Manono Islands of fautasi (longboat La'au oil sau'uali'i) powerboat, which was competing in the early Samoa independency-race. "Immersing myself in Samoan everydayities will enable me to unmystify and question my'kiwi perceptions' of my social heritage," he says. He is planning to write down his stay in Apia in a documentary which records his practical work.

Information is provided by the employees of the school, the undergraduates and the locals. In the end of his residence he will create an audio-visual artistic installment with sounds, sculptures and videos, which will be affected by all his experience in Samoa. A yearly stay is financed by Creative New Zealand and provides NZD $15,000 for the musician.