A photographic snapshot of Māori and Pasifika urban culture, including the work of two queer artists, is heading to China for an international photography festival. Caution Road Werq (2015) by Pati Solomona Tyrell Ata Te Tangata (Capture the People) is curated by artist, writer and performer Rosanna Raymond and features the work of artists such as Pati Solomona Tyrell and Tanu Gago, both who explore Pasifika rainbow narratives. In an interview with the Auckland Festival, Raymond spoke of the impact the lens of the West has had on the people and landscape of the Pacific. “Photography played a huge part in contributing to the visual mythology that defined the Pacific body, the land and ocean. “Ata Te Tangata redefines the gaze. The person behind the lens is genealogically and geographically a part of the community they are portraying. This allows for more nuanced representations, reflecting the world around them. These images tell a multitude of stories, bringing to light the people and landscapes of a contemporary Polynesian experience unique to Aotearoa New Zealand.” This is the first time a large collection such as this has traveled overseas.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 12th August 2016 - 2:34pm