A Pool is not the Ocean
“A Pool is not the Ocean is an ongoing project by Louisa Afoa that began last year as she moved from her family home in Papakura to Torbay on the North Shore. The works, including this iteration explore sites of social encounters that relate to experience of prejudice, misconceptions and racism towards the brown body, specifically drawing upon suburban middle class spaces and situations.”
The work is a reclaiming of how brown bodies are shown in art, art usually made by white men, at least historically. It also addresses the visibility of the fat body in art and popular culture as well, a radical statement when you consider shows like The Biggest Loser are still allowed to air without being labelled straight-up abusive. Shows like this give people easy access (as if they needed more) to belittling people and concern bullying people for their weight, which is really non of their damn business. It has been PROVEN in studies that weight stigma alone causes more health issues than weight itself.* Weight loss perpetuates weight stigma in fact. Women and non-binary people in brown bodies have an even more nuanced experience of stigma, adding layers of race and socio-economic elements to their lives. Diet culture is tied up in oppressive systems.*
https://www.sanderson.co.nz/Artist/330/Louisa-Afoa.aspx
“I’ve been thinking lately about how much you tell, how much of yourself you’re willing to give. The emotional labour is too real.”
“She [Afoa] tells me she’s been thinking a lot about self-sovereignty and what it means to make work that’s not only empowering for herself, but for other audiences. What it means to make work that has the potential to create a shift in how someone thinks about marginalised communities.
“I think I always make the work for myself first – and when I say myself I also mean my family, my ancestors because they’re apart of me. Whoever I’m thinking about, whatever story I’m trying to tell, it’s for us first and then the next step is thinking about the audience and the possible methods for receiving the ideas and narratives.”
Emotional labour can often be present in works that are deeply personal, and are usually a feature in works made by women and non-binary people. The world requires emotional labour from people to educate them about marginalised communities, including the fat community. Afoa makes sure her work is first and foremost, for herself. The audience and their take away message is secondary. Centring herself in the work is a radical act, especially with the oppressive intersections she falls under.
Love Feminisms – Enjoy Journal – Lana Lopesi and Louisa Afoa
“Polynesian bodies have a long history of being objectified and so [Darcell] Apelu’s decision to remain covered is not to be conservative, but an expression of protest, to refuse to partake in performing a role that is expected of her. In reclaiming her own representation, Apelu controls how she is presented, not the audience.”
“New Zealand Axemen’s Association: Women’s Sub Committee President (2014), Apelu showcased her power and strength as she chopped a large block of wood in half in the main exhibition space of ARTSPACE NZ. For the average artist this would be no easy feat, but for Apelu—a New Zealand representative wood-chopper—the performance was a demonstration of power, and the audience became witness to her physical strength and endurance.
“Furthermore, they challenge a one-way gaze upon themselves—the ‘other’—by self-positioning themselves and requiring a relationship or exchange with the viewer.”
Darcell Apelu’s move to cover her body is an act of defiance. For some, covering up their bodies is a protest, while for others, revealing their bodies is. For some, it’s both and the decision available to choose. The decision to choose how you are viewed in performance and in life is a powerful one. She is not performing the Westernised cliché of the Pacific woman in a bikini, but a visibility of her own making; of power and skill.
http://enjoy.org.nz/publishing/the-occasional-journal/love-feminisms/body-language
Add to the calendar:
❤ Exhibition
FAT curated by Ema Tavola
Featuring Louisa Afoa, Riki Tipu Anderson, Lissy Cole, Jessicoco Hansell, Infamy Apparel, Meagan Kerr and Elyssia Wilson-Heti
Opening Night: 6 – 8pm, Tuesday 4 February
Exhibition Dates: 5 – 29 February 2020
❤ Workshops
Writing the Fat Experience
Free, registration recommended
Facilitated by Elyssia Wilson-Heti
6 – 8pm, Saturday 8 February
Vunilagi Vou Arcade
VICTORIA HOLLINGS 