Kirikiriroa artist brings Samoan culture to No. 8 Wire National Art Award

Teuila Fatupaito was chosen as a finalist for the 2023 Fieldays No. 8 Wire National Art Award. Her piece was a nod to her Samoan heritage, and a representation of the leadership that she believes New Zealand currently needs. Wintec | Te Pūkenga student Sarah Morcom spoke to Fatupaito about the message behind her submission. 

A piece of Samoan culture was brought to the Fieldays No. 8 Wire National Art Award this year when finalist Teuila Fatupaito created a huge Ulafala necklace as her submission. 

Fatupaito is a Samoan artist living in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. This was her first year entering the annual competition, and she feels proud of the piece she submitted.

When Fatupaito was creating the traditional necklace, she had a clear message in mind that she wanted to send: unity, leadership, and strength. 

“There are many things that are going on in New Zealand right now. I wanted to refer to how we look to leaders for guidance in this time”, she said. 

The art piece was built from different gauges of galvanised wire, with a strong foundation of no. 8 wire holding the piece together. 

“Because [no. 8 wire] is so strong and dependable, it’s kinda like what we need right now in New Zealand. It’s the backbone of the necklace, and it holds everything together”, Fatupaito said.

“It’s such an awesome median to represent unity and strength”.

Fatupaito has been creating art since she was very young. She studied media arts at Wintec | Te Pūkenga, and is now thinking about going to jewellery school to improve her skills for her online jewellery shop. 

She said she wanted to unite her culture and her love of art, and share them with those viewing the No. 8 Wire submissions.

The Samoan Ulafala necklace is an iconic symbol in Samoa, Fatupaito said. It is a bright red necklace made from the pandanus fruit, and symbolises leadership.

“The Ulafala represents social status, it’s usually used for the matai [chiefs]”.

Fatupaito wanted to send the message that now is the time for New Zealanders to step up and be leaders to those that rely on us. 

“You look online and everyone is arguing about every subject there is. New Zealand’s feeling very divided. It’s a time when we need some strong leadership to stand up and guide New Zealand to come together”.

The necklace took over 60 hours to build. In the end it was worth it, as she and her piece were chosen as a finalist in the competition. 

Although she didn’t place, she said the real reward for her work was just to create the vision she had in her mind, and that it was a privilege to have her piece exhibited next to the other incredible finalist pieces. 

“You could see the love and work that went into them”, she said. 

“They were all different, and all special in their own way”.

The winner of this year’s No. 8 Wire National Art Award was “Connectivity” by Ricks Terstappen. In second place was “Cyclonic” by Jeff Thomson and Bev Goodwin, and in third place was “641E9372” by John McKenzie. Fatupaito also mentioned the Chair’s Choice Award winner as a personal favourite this year, which was “In Case of Emergency…Break Glass” by Heather Olesen.

Every finalist piece was unique in its own way, and the final winners were tricky to choose, said this year’s judge Hannah Kidd. There were around 30 total entries this year. 

Fatupaito mentioned that ideas surrounding leadership are currently very relevant, especially with this year’s election fast approaching. 

“People are talking a lot about our leaders at the moment, who our new leaders might be after the election”, she said. 

Although she said that it’s important to vote, she also believes that leaders can come from anywhere. 

“We can always be leaders within our homes, within our families, helping our communities.

“I think you can be a leader wherever you are”.