“I sit with contradictions in identity and belonging which has been an ongoing presence throughout life. As an emerging inter disciplinary artist I’m now invested in finding ways to express and communicate this. And through the journey also come to a deeper understanding of myself and my relationship to the world” – Lila Mileisea
Lila has an interdisciplinary and social practice that places equal importance on both process and outcome. She is a conscious collaborator with others (human, plants, animals, cosmos) holding an understanding of balance and the importance of reciprocity.
Using cultural research, community engagement, music and art, she is a nurturer, teacher and advocate for holistic relationships between humans and the earth and environmental awareness.
Lila holds a degree in both Music and Education. She is a multi instrumentalist (saxophone, african harp – kora, Greenwood leather sculptures, Polynesian nose flute – fagufagu) and as a new student of Polynesian barkcloth making, she embraces this art form to connect with her Samoan and Oceanic roots. Lila has created a number of circular resonance drawings which have been read as musical scores, performed as new music, used for storytelling, and utilized as a meditation tool.
As a member of Samoan women’s group Suga, she has performed at the Cannes Film Festival (France), Femme Funk Festival (New Caledonia), Pacific Arts Festival (Christchurch), Melbourne Festival, and the International Harp Conference in Sydney. Her work has been showcased at local events including MONA FOMA, Dark MOFO, Junction Festival, and AgriCultured, in addition to international venues in New Zealand, Samoa, Brazil, Thailand, and the UK. She is equally experienced in performing in galleries, corporate functions, festivals, concert halls, as she is for early years, aged care, health and well-being, and regional community audiences.
SA/MOA Project
The word ‘Samoa’ can be interpreted in various ways, one of which is “sacred (sa) center (moa). This interpretation is fitting for our project, which acknowledges and honors the earth and universe as sacred. Engaging with the SA/MOA project presents an opportunity for individuals to reflect upon and enhance their personal understanding of the concept of a “sacred center.”
