Tusiata o le Tala o le Vavau: Artists of the Forever Stories

(Paperback)

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Tusitala o le Tala o le Vavau is a homage to pioneering and hugely important Samoan artist Iosua Toafa, illustrator of 1976s iconic Tala o le Vavau: Myths and Legends of Samoa. It celebrates the life and art of a brilliant if underacknowledged creative force. Featuring reflections from Albert Wendt, Momoe Malietoa von Reiche, Sean Mallon and Marilyn Kohlhase, as well as assorted friends, family, former peers and students, whats revealed is a poignant, absorbing and deeply personal account of Toafas life and the ongoing influence of his work. This book and its accompanying exhibition also showcases original work by nine Aotearoa-based Samoan visual artists renowned contemporary practitioners like Andy Leleisiuao, Raymond Sagapolutele and Siliga David Setoga, alongside those more emerging all inspired by the 1976 book and Toafas art. Tusitala o le Tala o le Vavau is a celebration of contemporary Samoan art today and a critical recognition of its beginnings through Iosua Toafa and his work.

Author Bio

Linda Vaaelua is of Samoan and Scottish heritage and grew up in West Auckland, New Zealand. She graduated in 1999 with a Bachelor of Design (Visual Communications) from Unitec. With more than 20 years experience as a graphic designer, she was the first Pasifika art director for the New Zealand Womans Weekly and has worked on other publications, including the New Zealand Listener. More recently, Linda designed the award-winning book NUKU: Stories of 100 Indigenous Women (finalist Ockham New Zealand Book Awards 2022, finalist PANZ Book Design Awards 2022). In 2021, she launched her visual arts career with a virtual exhibition HALF, and has since been practising as a full-time artist, with numerous group and solo exhibitions to date.