Samoa Paintings
I spent several weeks in Samoa with a study abroad program from the University of Hawaii Manoa. Students lived with families in 2 adjacent villages on the small island of Manono. There was no electricity and only one (communal) phone at that time. These paintings are of my friends and host family. All of these paintings were done in a traditional way with a terre verte/white underpainting over rabbit skin glue sizing.
Lea on the Telephone
NFS
1992
26-3/4" x 38"
The twin villages where I lived shared a Women's Committee and their meeting fale was where the sole telephone resided. The women monitored it and collected the fees for the calls. If a call came, they sent a child to run and fetch the party needed. They also obviously heard every call. There is no privacy when houses do not have walls.
Maria in the Fale Oloa
1,200
1994
29-1/2" x 40-1/8"
When I returned to Samoa my host family had turned the bedroom I shared with my sister into a small store 'fale oloa" that sold staple products and a few treats.
Maria and Maria
1,400
1992-5
42-1/2" x 33-1/4"
From a subsequent trip to Samoa (I returned for the 25th Anniversary of Independence celebrations). My host family had a second home on the larger island of Upon in a village called Manono Uta or 'Mountain Manono'. Since the island of Manono couldn't provide everything a family needed, some more 'mainland' land was required. My sister took care of the Catholic priest and the Catholic Church. Her dream was to be sent to Rome to become a nun.
Soas:Fa'atupu and Maria
1,200
1992
37" x 29"
Soas: Fa’atupu and Maria depicts the “soas” or the supporting partners of a chief who was getting a tattoo. In Samoa nothing is done alone, particularly something as dangerous as tattooing. When a visiting chief was unable to find a tattoo partner among the men on the island, two women stepped in to fill this role. The women are shown during the tattoo process. Fa’atupu is just finished her first leg and providing emotional support to Maria. Tattooer is upper left.
The Emmigrants
1,700
1993-1995
46" x 36-1/2"
At the time called Western Samoa, most families where I lived sent young adults abroad to New Zealand to find work and send money home. This is the day a brother in my family moved there with his wife and children, dressed up and anxious.
Poutoa After Church
1,500
2000
52-1/2" x 29"
Poutoa is wearing his Sunday church clothes, although he's immediately divested himself of the white shirt and tie.
Late Morning, Faleu
1,400
1994
32-1/4" x 40-1/4"
My family's fale oloa (store) also served as a small social gathering place. Here some of the few men of my generation who remained on the island.
Lika
1100
1994-5
36-3/4" x 30"
A sister in my host family was described as 'crazy.' It was fascinating to me to watch how the culture dealt with mentally ill or incapacitated family members.