On at Artstation until the end of the month, Measina Fa'a Fafine: treasures from a liminal space explores Samoan Fa'a Fafine. The group exhibition, curated by Shigeyuki Kihara, features a variety of interpretations and opens a dialogue between Fa'a Fafine (insiders) and non Fa'a Fafine (outsiders) Samoan artists. It explores how each relates to the ancient ideas of Samoan Fa'a Fafine identity and experience in the 21st century.On at Artstation until the end of the month, Measina Fa'a Fafine: treasures from a liminal space explores Samoan Fa'a Fafine. The group exhibition, curated by Shigeyuki Kihara, features a variety of interpretations and opens a dialogue between Fa'a Fafine (insiders) and non Fa'a Fafine (outsiders) Samoan artists. It explores how each relates to the ancient ideas of Samoan Fa'a Fafine identity and experience in the 21st century.Fa'a Fafine literally translates as "in a manner of a woman". The term is broadly used among Samoans to describe individuals who are gifted with the dual qualities between men and women, and do not fit into the western binary oppositions of gender and sexuality.

Artists who reflect a direct engagement with the Samoan Fa'a Fafine community through family connections, social, professional or political involvement include Dan Taulapapa McMullin, Reverend Mua Strickson Pua, John Ioane, Nicholas Netzler, Lisa Taouma, Nanette Lelaulu, Lindah Lepou and Shigeyuki Kihara.

The artists present work in a range of media from costume, sound installation and photography, to painting, sculpture and video works.

This exhibition runs in conjunction with Love Life 2: Sexual Minority Groups of Pacific Island Origins Fono 2007 - a conference organised by the New Zealand Aids Foundation at the Manukau Marae in Mangere from 18 to 21 October.

When: 19-29 October 2007
Where: Artstation, 1 Ponsonby Road, Newton

18/10/07