Pasifika artist out to balance the Eurocentric view

Samoan-Canadian (among other things) artist and writer Lana Lopesi is interested in ethnicity in New Zealand art and the balance with the Eurocentric world view.

Editor of #500words, a website attempting a new critical discourse in the New Zealand art scene, Lopesi spoke at Wintec’s Spark festival about her ethnicity and how it has influenced her art, writing and worldview.

While primarily an artist,  Lopesi took up writing when she noticed there wasn’t a voice for Pasifika artists.

“We’re dominated [in art] by a Eurocentric world view.”

Lopesi said encouraging others to write about their artistic work and that of others, allows art to endure.

“It [writing] can have a lasting effect. Exhibiting requires writing. Artistic thought requires writing.”

Lopesi’s work often explores the various issues for diaspora and indigenous communities and the cultural exchange that occurs via migration

Her website #500, which is turning three this year,  is seen by Lopesi as a tool  to develop and informally mentor young writers who are finding their voice.

“It’s [an] ideal in its broad strokes, attracting young writers with angst views.

“It just takes someone thinking that you have something to say to give you a platform.”

But while she has taken to giving a voice to Pasifika creativity, along with being described as a fashion designer and editor, she still considers herself an artist.

However, Lopesi believes it is her writing that triggered what she describes as her “surprise” invitation to Spark.

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic student Juanita-Louisa Karora said she had been left thinking about the artistic journey.

“You take away a lot of things about how you approach the way you’re going about your body of work.”