Tusiata o le Tala o le Vavau - Artists of Samoan myths and legends

I am curating and part of an exhibition being launched at Mangere Arts Centre for Samoan language week 2023. The show is a homage to Sāmoan artist Iosua To’afa, who illustrated the iconic book “Tala o le Vavau - Myths and legends of Samoa” in 1976. The show will feature 10 Aotearoa based Sāmoan visual artists working in different disciplines and at varying stages of their careers. They will use the original book as an inspiration for their works.

I am wanting to access funding to print a book that will serve as a biography about Iosua To’afa as well as a catalogue for the show.

To'afa is a pioneer of contemporary Pasifika art in the Oceania region who has not been well published. He has been living with Parkinson's disease for many decades and is no longer able to practice art. It has severely limited him physically as well as his ability to communicate. This has highlighted to me the importance of capturing the untold stories of those artists that have gone before us, so their stories will not be lost forever.

The book will be a valuable resource particularly for Moana students, and my hope is to donate a portion of the copies to schools around Aotearoa.

The costs

Publication costs to print a quality book are high. Through quotes, I have ascertained that I would need $32,219.00 total.

This includes:

Research,
Writing,
Editing,
Design,
Proof reading,
Marketing/promotion,
Photography,
and printing.

With the funds raised through Boosted X Moana, I would be well on my way to getting this project off the ground.

This book is an important historical resource, which intersects with contemporary Pasifika art today. The exhibition catalogue portion of the book will feature Samoan artists sharing their current art practice and how they have been influenced by To'afa's work.

Boosted X Moana will give this project great needed exposure, and I hope bring together our communities across the Moana.