SAMOA

“E le falala fua le niu, ae falala ona o le matagi“
(the coconut tree does not sway by itself, it sways because of the wind)

As a contributing photographer to Tatau: Marks of Polynesia, working in collaboration with John Agcaoili, I had the honor of bearing witness to the lives, culture, and artistry of the Samoan people, with a particular focus on the extraordinary tradition of Samoan tatau.

According to the Japanese American National Museum, “Tatau: Marks of Polynesia explores the beauty of Samoan tattoos as well as the key role they play in the preservation and propagation of Samoan culture. Through photographs taken in the studio and on location in Samoa and elsewhere, Tatau showcases the work of traditional Samoan tattoo masters alongside that of younger practitioners working within and influenced by the tradition today.”

The exhibition was curated by Takahiro “Ryudaibori” Kitamura and organized by the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) in Los Angeles, where it originated and was on view July 30, 2016 – January 22, 2017. It subsequently traveled internationally under Flying Fish, with venues including the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Bishop Museum in Hawai‘i, and The Victoria Immigration Museum.