Abstract
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.
Presenters
George FunakiStudent, Master of Fine Arts, Whitecliffe College of Art and Design, Auckland, New Zealand
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2025 Special Focus—Oceanic Journeys: Multicultural Approaches in the Humanities
KEYWORDS
Leiti, Identity, Tonga, Diasporic, Va, Queer, Moana, Futures, Duty, Space
