Making Meaning
Between Preservation and Possession - the Postcolonial Politics of the Ki‘i: A Close Reading of Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Hoolaokealoha Higuchi Simmons
This essay examines Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me by Lurline Wailana McGregor through a postcolonial lens, focusing on how cultural preservation is influenced by colonial histories and power dynamics. The characters Moana and Lei represent opposing approaches to Indigenous artifacts: institutional display versus cultural sovereignty. The ki‘i becomes a symbol of these tensions, reflecting broader debates about possession and protection. By analyzing the novel alongside museum practices and scholarly critique, the essay argues that true preservation must prioritize Indigenous voices and values. Moana’s journey from academic detachment to cultural responsibility highlights the importance of connection in preserving heritage.
Mate Ma'a Siaosi: Practicing Leitī Identity Across the Vā of Cultural Duty and Diasporic Space View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session George Funaki
Throughout my research I have found it challenging to build a practice around the concept of self and identity when navigating the complexities of my Tongan heritage and queerness within an academic institution. In Tongan culture, the notion of individualism is rarely emphasised—leitī are understood as small pieces contributing to a much larger collective narrative—Besnier (1998). This interconnectedness between self and the collective has made it difficult to frame my singular identity as it constantly shifts in relation to community, tradition or cultural responsibility. The contradictions that arise in this exploration between the personal and communal—the individual and the collective—have been both equally compelling and frustrating. While I attempt to reconcile these tensions within my work I find that documenting the process proves just as elusive as defining it. My studio practice then becomes not only a reflection of identity but also a space where these contradictions are explored, challenged, and at times, unresolved.
