Photograph by Hayley Bethell
Salome Tanuvasa
Salome Tanuvasa is a visual artist born in Auckland, Aotearoa, NZ, of Tongan and Sāmoan heritage. She holds a BFA (Honours) and an MFA from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland.
Her gestural mark-making on various supports hints at automatic writing rising from contemplation. Her choice of everyday found materials such as coloured cards, bits of clay or fabrics, combines an economy of means with discerning observation. She applies paint strokes or stitches to these surfaces that result in gently enigmatic compositions. Her elegant canvases are at times un-stretched, so that they can hang as sluggish domestic stuff. Her recent large size banners spread across spaces evoking joyful street celebrations: vibrant, abstract textile works with colourful patterns inspired by the beauty of her natural surroundings. Furthermore, her work with fabrics, stitching and appliqué is a homage to her seamstress mother - with whom she often collaborates - and encourages her to reflect on the input of the body and mind into labour, particularly when performed in the home by women.
Solo exhibitions include several presentations at Tim Melville Gallery, Auckland 2018-2021; Gaffa Gallery, Sydney AU, 2014; and Window, Ozlyn, Auckland, 2012.
Selected group exhibitions: Murray Art Museum, Albury NSW AU; 2021; Govett-Brewster Art Gallery New Plymouth NZ, 2021; Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland NZ, 2021; Tim Melville Gallery, Auckland NZ, 2020; Enjoy Gallery, Wellington NZ, 2020; Weasel Gallery, Hamilton NZ, 2019; Nathan Homestead, Auckland NZ, 2019; Cement Fondu, Sydney AU, 2019, China Academy of Art, Huangzhou CN, 2018; Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland NZ, 2018; St Paul Street Gallery, Auckland NZ, 2017; Te Tuhi (at Silo 6), Auckland NZ, 2016; Studio One Toi Tu, Auckland NZ, 2016; Te Uru, Auckland NZ, 2015; RM Gallery, Auckland NZ, 2014; Matariki exhibition at Ruapotaka Marae, Auckland NZ, 2014; George Fraser Gallery, Auckland NZ, 2014; New Zealand Film Archive, Wellington NZ, 2014; Powerstation, Shanghai CN, 2013; Artspace, Auckland NZ, 2013; Papakura Art Gallery, Auckland NZ, 2013 and Auckland City Library, Auckland NZ, 2013.
Her works are part of the Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki and James Wallace Arts Trust, NZ. In 2018 Salome won the Creative Award from the China Academy of Art, Huangzhou, China.
Equally Different I, 2021, commissioned for the exhibition ‘Golden Daughters of the Sun’ London, October 2021.
Reflections I, 2018. Calico, cotton, wooden dowel, 220 cm x 180 cm. Courtesy of Tim Melville Gallery, Auckland, NZ
Equally Different II, 2021, commissioned for the exhibition ‘Golden Daughters of the Sun’ London, October 2021.
Untitled, 2018. Fabric paint on calico and brass eyelets, 130 cm. Courtesy of Tim Melville Gallery, Auckland, NZ
Equally Different I and II 2021, ‘Golden Daughters of the Sun’ London, October 2021.
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our represented artists:
Christina Pataialii
Joyce Campbell
Shannon Te Ao
Peter Robinson
Arapeta Ashton
Delia Cancela
Salome Tanuvasa
Dalila Dalleas Bouzar