Greg Semu: Aussie Aiga
A celebration of family, place and belonging within the Western Sydney Samoan community
Greg Semu
Greg Semu is a multidisciplinary artist, frequently addressing issues of cultural displacement and colonial impact on indigenous cultures. His work strongly critiques historical narratives by questioning accuracies, representation and loss of cultural authenticity.
Semu’s practice extends to the field of community arts and social justice, developing work from residency and community engagement programs. Within this framework Semu also explores more personal ideas of identity and belonging.
Leaupepe Family, Campbelltown (2008) by Greg SemuPenrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest
Aussie Aiga
In 2008 Penrith Regional Gallery commissioned Greg Semu's Aussie Aiga series for the Strictly Samoan exhibition suite, four multidisciplinary exhibitions accompanied by an energetic engagement program curated by Victoria Harbutt, with Lalau Leo Tanoi as Cultural Officer.
"Aussie aiga is a term that encapsulates ideas about inhabiting and belonging: to place, to country, to family" - Greg Semu 2008
Vaele Family, Bankstown (2008) by Greg SemuPenrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest
Aussie Aiga is a collection of 17 photographic portraits documenting the Samoan communities of Western Sydney.
"The true value and importance of this series is as a time capsule: a photographic snapshot of a small selected group. A microcosmic slice of the Samoan people’s contemporary Pacific journeying." - Greg Semu 2008
Ah Chong Family, St Marys (2008) by Greg SemuPenrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest
The photos were the result of a community cultural development project that saw Greg Semu and Leo Tanoi working with Western Sydney Samoans to explore concepts of family, self and cultural knowledge and links to ancestors.
"The work will mature with each passing year, causing viewers to ask: Who were these people then and who are they now? Where did they come from and where are they now? How did they live then, and now?" - Greg Semu 2008
Significantly touched by the human bonds forged with the community during the development of the work, the resulting series blends contemporary ‘art’ portraiture with the culturally significant, modern Samoan tradition of family photos.
"Each family recital of ancestry and origin showed me that our bloodlines are interlaced like the motorways of the M4, M5 and M7. Intravenous highways. We are not strangers. Beneath the surface, we are AIGA." - Greg Semu 2008
Barton-Vaofanua Family, Petersham (2008) by Greg SemuPenrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest
Penrith Regional Gallery is committed to engaging the local community in an exploration of contemporary art practice, including concepts of identity, place and home. This body of work articulates an important moment in time - for both the artist and the local community.
"I was touched by their generosity. Moved by the experience. Whether or not this will translate into the photographs I cannot say. But I can say, ‘Faaafetai tele lava lau alofa. Manuia lava lau Malaga’: ‘Thank you for your love, and blessings on your journey.’" - Greg Semu 2008
Congregation of the St Marys Assembly of God Church, Oxley Park (2008) by Greg SemuPenrith Regional Gallery, Home of The Lewers Bequest
Thank you to the Western Sydney Samoan community who participated in this program.
Thank you to Greg Semu, Victoria Harbutt, Leo Tanoi, and Penrith Regional Gallery staff.
All artworks copyright courtesy of the artist
Photos: Greg Semu
Curator: Victoria Harbutt
Cultural Officer: Lalau Leo Tanoi
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