I went to the "Pasifika Styles" presentation a few weeks ago with a small group. The speaker was artist Rosanna Raymond, a New Zealand born Pacific Islander. She spoke to us about a project she was a part of which worked to bring different artists of New Zealand together to make an exhibit. Her work shows the culture and style of the Samoan people. "Pasifika Styles" showcased traditional tools and clothing of the Pacific people while adding in the modern pieces by the artists. Raymond's arms showed her traditional Samoan tattoos, which was part of the way she used her body to show us the art of her culture.
This reminded me of the "Art and the Body" walking tour I went on where I saw many statues of people (historical and symbolic figures) standing for a message being displayed by the artist. Our bodies can be used in so many powerful ways that it is easy to forget how much we can show through them. The statues on the walking tour are frozen in place, immobile, but still portray stirring images. Raymond's tattoos, clothing and poems brought her Pacific culture to life, and the entire presentation was engaging and informative. Her activeness makes her body an important canvas. Just by looking at her and listening to the amount of passion in her voice as she explained her interest in sharing the art of her people, I was able to see an art form non-existent on the walking tour.
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