Painting Samoan hybridity – le Va

Abstract

I have always struggled to come to terms of my position between worlds. Growing up involved constant friction between my Samoan heritage and Western upbringing; resulting in a bitterness towards an unknown Samoan culture. These feelings were to be confronted directly as I was asked by my parents to undertake the role of Matai – a Samoan chief. This research paper looks at cultural hybridity and how visual dialogue aids in resolving an internal feud of clashing cultures. The Samoan term ‘Va’ is associated with one’s position and connection, and the paintings produced alongside this investigation become steps towards a resolution by forming an understanding of my position as a hybrid. In the case of this research paper, traditional style oil painting on canvas becomes my mode of choice to portray this communication. The series of paintings created through this research project embodies my connection with Samoan spirituality. The connection is conceived as stories of a sacred world being familiarized through re-enactment and re-evaluation against the present world – my reality. As this journey unfolds, the question is raised: how can the process of painting account for and help mediate the various positions of my subjectivity and the pressure of initiation into the Matai system? Critical analysis of works produced by artists Odd Nerdrum, Kehinde Wiley and Greg Semu aid in finding an answer by investigating hybridity from a contemporary perspective. The resulting research evidences a visual mode of hybrid language that has the power to speak the unspoken; the given, the Va.