Rachael Rakena, Fez Fa'anana & Brian Fuata
Pacific Washup
Pacific Washup was produced during a short collaborative residency at Performance Space in Sydney, 2003. The three collaborating artists had never met and had no prior knowledge of each other’s practice. Through the first days of the residency we engaged in dialogue about who we were, where we came from, and why we has been brought together. This was predominantly cultural discussion of family and place. We had commonalities through our Polynesian heritage and links to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand. However, our contrasting ‘uncommonalities’ regarding the geographic and cultural positions we inhabit as indigenous people of the Pacific, as migrants or non-migrants, became significant too.
At the time of making this work Australia was dealing with immigration issues. Boat people landing on beaches in north Australia had been sent away unprocessed as refugees, contrary to international law. The Australian government legislated a change to its international border overnight to protect itself from having to deal with these displaced people, and many Australians were in debate around the issue.
There are 26,000 Maori and 43,000 Pacific Islanders living in Sydney. While cultural alienation, dislocation, and displacement experienced by immigrants are themes of this work, their vision of a brighter future, their courage in migrating, and the survival of their cultures and communities come into focus too. Pacific Washup's flotsam and jetsam on Bondi Beach exposes a vulnerability that casts the observer into doubt as to whether they have arrived at a safer environment or not.
Artists’ statement, 2006
Rachael Rakena artist bio:
Born Wellington, 1969
Ngāi Tahu, Ngā Puhi
Lives and works in Palmerston North
Master of Fine Arts, Otago Polytechnic School of Art, Dunedin
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts, University of Otago, Dunedin
Bachelor of Arts, University of Otago, Dunedin
Diploma of Fine Arts, Otago Polytechnic School of Art, Dunedin
Selected solo exhibitions include: 'Aniwaniwa' (with Brett Graham), Te Manawa, Palmerston North (2006); 'Taonga Whanau' (with Otene Rakena and Hana Rakena), SOFA Gallery, Christchurch (2005); 'Rerehiko', The Dowse, Lower Hutt (2005); 'Iwidotnz', Marshall Seifert Gallery, Dunedin (2004).
Selected group exhibitions include: 'Zones of Contact 2006 Biennale of Sydney', Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney (2006); 'Play: Portraiture and Performance in Video Art from Australia and New Zealand', Adam Art Gallery, Wellington and Perth Insitute of Arts, Perth (2005-06); 'Face Value: video portraiture from the Pacific', Ivan Doherty Gallery, Sydney (2005 ‘Te Puawai o Ngai Tahu’, Christchurch City Gallery (2003).
Fez Fa’anana artist bio:
Fez Fa’anana is a New Zealand-born, Brisbane-based dance artist of Samoan heritage. Fa’anana works collaboratively with visual and performance artist Luke Roberts, performing at the Museum of Contemporary Art for the 2002 Sydney Biennale and at the Luke Roberts Studios, as well as performing for companies including KITE Theatre and Abigails Entertainment.
Brian Fuata artist bio:
Brian Fuata is a New Zealand-born, Sydney-based Samoan performer, writer and theatre-maker. He has created and performed short works in Unbecomings (2000 and 2001, co-produced by Performance Space, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and PACT Youth Theatre), which won the Mardi Gras Festival Award 2000; and Kiss My Fist (2002).
Image credits:
Rachael Rakena,Fez Fa’anana & Brian Fuata
Pacific Washup 001 2003–06
Lambda digital print
590 x 750 mm (image); 870 x 1030 mm (frame)
Video Camera / Post-Production: Rachael Rakena
Co-devisors / Performers: Fez Fa’anana & Brian Fuata
Additional Performers: Seina & Latai Taumoepeau, Atawhai Whareaitu, & Bernadette Awatere
Courtesy of the artists