HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS: KATHARINE & JESSIE ATAFU-MAYO
KATHARINE & JESSIE ATAFU-MAYO
Fine Arts & Visual Arts Students
Samoan/Palagi
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Katharine: We’re New Zealand born Afakasi’s. Half Samoan from Mum’s side and half European from Dad’s. I’m the eldest of three girls. We initially grew up in Te Atatu North but after a little shuffle around, we’re now living in Grafton. I keep busy now days with a lot of study and work. I’m currently a second year Fine Arts student at Whitecliffe School of Art and Design and I’m working part time fixing people’s Internet at a telecommunication Centre. Busy, busy, busy!
Jessie: I sit nicely in the middle of the Mayo sister clang. I’m in my last year of studying Visual Art’s at AUT and work part time in retail. Like my sis, lot’s of our time is spent on study and work but I think if we ever get spare time these days we love to explore, check out art galleries and chill on our back deck listening to music.
What inspired you both to want to become artists?
Growing up we were constantly surrounded by creatives. Our Dad worked at the Museum as a display artist for the first 12 years of my life (Katharine), so we were exposed to the art world from a very young age. It’s something that we’ve both been naturally drawn to and the opportunities we had at high school nurtured that. I feel for the both of us that this industry allows freedom in the sense that we don’t have limitations on what we learn and practice. We’ve found that it’s a rewarding way of learning because we’ve opened ourselves to new experiences and ideologies of life. A big part of our inspiration comes from our parents though. They’ve raised us to pursue what makes us happy and that constant support motivates us to want to do well and live our best authentic lives.
Who are some of your favourite artists and why?
There are so many creatives that we enjoy some are - Joanne The Scammer, Jean- Michael Basquiat, Solange Knowles & Rupi Kaur. The ones that stand out to us are people that challenge and complement our pacific culture such as Shigeyuki Kihara, John Pule, Benjiman Work, Askew One and Robin White.
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How does your Samoan heritage influence your art?
Katharine - Our Samoan Heritage is something that is so important to both of us. Even though we’ve visited Samoa numerous amounts of times I haven’t been immersed enough in the culture to comfortably be able to say, I understand everything about being Samoan. The lack of knowledge is a real drive to settle this feeling of inadequacy and to reclaim my heritage. This heavily influences my art and because we’re in an industry that is so open; allows me to address what I’m deeply passionate about.
Jessie - I agree, I think our lack of knowledge around our Samoan cultural heritage drives both of us to create art that opens doors for those conversations around traditional Pacific methodologies and allows us to gain knowledge of our heritage while actually practicing it in traditional and contemporary ways.
If you could have your art displayed anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Katharine - MoMA New York or in the Venice Biennale as a representative of New Zealand. It’s always been an ultimate dream of mine. It would mean massive exposure and on an international scale. To have an opportunity like that where I could create something that sheds light, celebrates or addresses issues in our Pacific community would be more than amazing.
Jessie - Absolutely! I think sharing our culture on international scale would be amazing but also very informative to the European art scene. Having work displayed there would allow us to show and speak the Pacific Truths that is often miscommunicated. Even taking it back to our Village in Samoa would mean a lot to me.
Biggest challenge in becoming an artist.
There are so many. In terms of practicing art, it’s probably being “Avante Garde”. Theorists say that every subject matter and methodologies have been. So we’re in an era where art is repeating itself. Being able to stand out and have a unique approach to my practice is something that I’m really trying to develop. For Jessie, I think it would be keeping the momentum of making works.
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Who’s ‘Te Ka’ and who’s ‘Te Fiti’?
Jessie already volunteered as tribute for Te Ka… A true Capricorn. I’m obviously the beautiful one that brings life to most situations anyway lol.
Tell us the most Samoan thing about you.
Jessie - Those size 9 mens feet!
Katharine - I agree with my sis! These kalo legs and wide flat feet ain’t out here to play honey.
On a serious note though, my love for God, family and food. They are three of the most important aspects I can proudly say, take after my Samoan side.
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By Hanalei Temese