Samiu Napa’a 

Untitled, 2003

Samiu Napa’a’s photo-realistic portraits are cross-cultural studies mapping the acclimatisation of Tongans in New Zealand. Samiu is the youngest in his family; he travelled with his mother from the village of Fua’amotu to Auckland in 1997 to join the majority of his family already settled here. From seventh form painting with Ian George at Hillary College in Otara, Samiu went on to complete a Certificate of Art & Design at Whitecliff College which later progressed to a University of Auckland Bachelor of Visual Arts, where he is currently in his final year.

The concept of portraiture suggests a measure of respect and grandeur that as captured so stunningly in the portrait painted of his mother, Mele Napa’a. The detail of her aged face, the locked gaze and the halo-like glow around her head accents the dignified process of portraiture.

 

Homies, 2003

Samiu’s application of traditional portrait painterly technique to contemporary images of young Tongans in New Zealand echoes his perception of their displacement in a foreign society. They stand as a proud validation of traditional Tongan values fused with Western ways of life. He enjoys this relationship and plans to develop his studies of Tongan youth culture.