a homage to who we are.
This website is the culmination of eight years of work, work that was originally about capturing the beauty and alofa of two women in the Sagapolutele family has become the marker in understanding the evolution of Ufitia and Raymond’s artistic practices. Both framed their art, one a dancer and the other a photographer, around contemporary contexts, hip-hop, and photo-journalism, and over the years the talanoa (conversation) around who they are and where they have come from has seen them evolve to challenge and respect the lessons learned as diasporic Samoans in Aotearoa.
For Ufitia it would see her go from the braggadocio and hype of hip-hop and the stage it occupies to the more contemplative and form focussed world of tradition and fa’aSamoa (the Samoan way). A return to the heart of what their mother spoke of and a framework that would see her focus on contemporary Siva Samoa and complete her Master's degree at Auckland University. As her practice has developed she has been fortunate to be able to learn from contemporary Samoan dancers Parris Goebel (hip-hop) and Tupe Lualua (Siva Samoa). Through their guidance and support, she and many of the dancers who she shares space with have become advocates for our voices and agents for our stories and narratives continuing the pathway set by Lemi Ponifasio, Neil Ieremia, and Sefa Enari to name a few.
Her brother, Raymond, had developed much of his early work in editorial and documentary framed photography, working as a staff photographer for music publications ‘Back2Basics’ and Rip It Up’ and documenting graffiti and street art as part of the Aotearoan collective TMD. His journey as an artist would see him take a more introspective look at how he would present and converse with regards to who he is, where he has come from and the people that have shaped his lived experiences as part of the Samoan diaspora in Aotearoa. A pathway inspired by lens based visual artists Greg Semu, Yuki Kihara, Pati Solomona Tyrell, Emily Mafile’o, Lisa Reihana, Natalie Roberston, Tanu Gago, Tuafale Tanoa’i, Russ Flatt, Qiane Matata-Sipu, Terry Koloamatangi Klavenes, Erica Sinclair, Te Rawhitiroa Bosch and so many others. Taking a thematically similar path to his sister he would find talanoa around the intersectionality of culture, art, and the impact of this multifaceted context as Samoan, Aotearoan, and Kiwi central to his study and the completion of his Master's degree with Auckland University of Technology.
The original work was the catalyst for both artists and the passing of their mother not long after her image was taken has anchored an understanding in each of them around the importance of serving their community, as artists and as family members. To serve and support was key to their mother’s philosophy on life - there is a saying in Samoan ‘O le ala ole pule, o le tautua’ the path to leadership is through service. The context of tautua (service) can be translated and transacted in different ways for many but for Ufitia and Raymond service is its own reward.
Ruta Reuelu, Invercargill 1975
Ruta Sagapolutele was born Ruta Reuelu and was the oldest daughter of Rev. Penisula Reuelu Fa’alava’au and Neetia Reuelu Fa’alava’au. She was born and raised in the village of Fatuvalu on the Island of Savai’i, Samoa and came to Aotearoa in the 1960s where she worked as a registered nurse, married Faiaiulu ‘Puta’ Sagapolutele and raised four sons and a daughter.
She was our heart and we will hold her memory forever and cherish her alofa always. Through her and the sacrifice and service of her generation our generation are able to navigate a future they set down and a culture many of us have the privilege to draw on when finding our own voices in a world that’s very different to the one they were part of.
To her and her siblings, Uoka, John, Evagalia, Malae, Mareko, Mareko, Penisula, Naomi and Ruta we offer up our grattitude, alofa and thanks.
Our aiga/family
Raymond, Maria, and Ufitia would like to recognise and thank our family, our brothers and their wives, Kirisome and Ange, Uoka and Kiona, Mark and Ari, and supporters that helped us along the journey that was the creation of the original work and the funding to complete this project.
Raymond would like to thank Andy Leleisi’uao, Elliot O’Donnell, Charles and Janine Williams, Benjamin Work, and the TMD family for inspiring and always being honest when it comes to discussion around his practice.
We would also like to recognise the invaluable work and support of our aiga in Aotearoa and Germany, Jerry Tauamiti, Samson Vaotuua, Lyncia Muller, Natalia Ioane, Dr. Eva Raabe, Alice Pawlik, Matthias Hoffman, Leonie Neuman, Vanessa von Gliszczynski, Dr. Gerda Kroeber-Wolf, and Helena Kiess.
We would also like to take the opportunity to thank Creative New Zealand, Weltkulturen Museum, and the team at the Pacific Arts Centre for their funding and support over the past few years. Alofa and so much respect to all that have helped us pay homage to our mother and to the art that has opened up so many opportunities for us.
