Fatu Feu’u is a figurehead of Pacific art and one of 12 artists in our collection at MOTU Art Villas on Rarotonga.

Fatu Feu’u was born in 1946 on the island of Upolu in Samoa. He emigrated to New Zealand to study art in 1966 and has exhibited regularly since 1983.

For the past five decades his significance as an artist, mentor and leader in Pacific art has been widespread and recognised with many accolades over the years.

His practice fuses traditional Pacific and Samoan imagery with European modernism.

Samoan patterns, design, legends, traditional language and biblical text are familiar motifs in his work alongside his trademark frangipani flower. Stylistically he’s influenced by New Zealand artists Tony Fomison, Alan Maddox and Colin McCahon with whom he had early associations.

Feu’u’s sculpture Toa Savili (Calmer Of The Winds) stands proudly at the entrance to MOTU. We feel its bold scale and colour are a powerful expression of the strength of Pacific art.

Also on display at MOTU are a number of Feu’u’s prints, each one laden with Pacific iconography including the frangipani flower and frigate bird which are symbols of birth and life that are deeply woven into Samoan culture.

Fatu Feu’u’s work is on show at Bergman Gallery in Auckland and Rarotonga in August and September 2024.