When an artist has a cultural background or ethnicity that is ‘other’, or even a gender that is not male, it can sometimes become their defining label.
In fact, there’s often an expectation that cultural identity will be at the centre of these artists’ practices.
But is this helpful? Or even fair?
On the one hand, in a crowded art world, it could be argued that ‘otherness’ is an advantage since it differentiates non-European artists from the Pakeha majority.
But on the other, if an artist is being defined by the narrative of their cultural label rather than by their artistic qualities isn’t this a career obstacle?
It is an interesting aspect of the art world that viewers and collectors will sometimes expect a Samoan or Tongan artist to make art about the Pacific … or that a Maori artist’s paintings will feature koru. But shouldn’t it be the artist’s decision to make whatever work they’re inspired to make?
In an attempt to open a line of discussion Tim Melville is pleased to present an exhibition of paintings by four female artists of Samoan, Aboriginal, Tongan, European and Maori descent: Star Gossage, Christina Pataialii, Kathy Ramsay and Salome Tanuvasa.
Christina Pataialii is represented by McLeavey Gallery, Wellington.
Photography by Samuel Hartnett
SALOME TANUVASA
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
CHRISTINA PATAIALII + STAR GOSSAGE + SALOME TANUVASA
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
SALOME TANUVASA + CHRISTINA PATAIALII
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
SALOME TANUVASA
Untitled
2020
acrylic on unstretched canvas
860mm H x 1110mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
SALOME TANUVASA
Untitled
2020
acrylic on unstretched canvas
860mm H x 860mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
SALOME TANUVASA
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
KATHY RAMSAY + CHRISTINA PATAIALII
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
KATHY RAMSAY
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
KATHY RAMSAY
Blowfly Ngarranggarni
2015
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
600mm H x 800mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
KATHY RAMSAY
Bow River Community (Blackfella Name Juwurlinji)
2016
natural ochre and pigment on canvas
600mm H x 800mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
CHRISTINA PATAIALII
Bad Moon Rising
2018
acrylic, house paint, spray paint on dropcloth
1220mm H x 1220mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
CHRISTINA PATAIALII + STAR GOSSAGE
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
STAR GOSSAGE
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
STAR GOSSAGE
Untitled
2020
ink and acrylic on paper
960mm H x 760mm W (frame)
STAR GOSSAGE
Untitled
2020
ink and acrylic on paper
960mm H x 760mm W (frame)
SALOME TANUVASA + STAR GOSSAGE
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
SALOME TANUVASA
Untitled
2020
acrylic on unstretched canvas
860mm H x 860mm W
CHARTWELL COLLECTION, AUCKLAND ART GALLERY
STAR GOSSAGE
Aurelia Renae
2020
oil on canvas board
770mm H x 635mm W (frame)
PRIVATE COLLECTION
CHRISTINA PATAIALII + SALOME TANUVASA + STAR GOSSAGE
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
CHRISTINA PATAIALII
Two Minutes to Midnight
2018
acrylic, house paint, spray paint, charcoal on drop cloth
1500mm H x 2000mm W
PRIVATE COLLECTION
CHRISTINA PATAIALII + SALOME TANUVASA
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
SALOME TANUVASA
This is Tomorrow
November 2020
Installation View
SALOME TANUVASA
Untitled
2020
acrylic on unstretched canvas
405mm H x 340mm W
SALOME TANUVASA
Untitled
2020
acrylic on unstretched canvas
305mm H x 305mm W
SALOME TANUVASA
Untitled
2020
acrylic on unstretched canvas
410mm H x 410mm W