SA/MOA (sacred/centre) Project, visioned by Lila Meleisea, is a creative exploration into Samoan knowledge systems and practices, working in collaboration with people and the natural world. Raised and based in Lutruwita / Tasmania, the core of this work also seeks to strengthen bonds and connections between Lila’s two island homes.
Following 3 years of nurture and development, the first expression of SA/MOA will be presented as a major multi-arts installation and Samoan cultural takeover of Moonah Arts Centre for Ten Days on the Island (Ten Days) 2025.
This project is a collaboration with traditional Samoan makers, knowledge holders, musicians and contemporary artists from Samoa and Samoan artists in Australia. SA/MOA holds many threads that connect with and share Lila’s cultural learnings and community (both through her travel to Samoa, and through connecting with the Pasifika diaspora in her home of lutruwita / Tasmania). SA/MOA culminates in the presentation of a work (re)connecting traditional barkcloth, siapo, held at TMAG with contemporary barkcloth created in the village of Siutu, Samoa and displayed in lutruwita for Ten Days on the Island.
SA/MOA is formed of interwoven components taking place simultaneously as part of Ten Days in lutruwita (Tasmania):
● An exhibition space featuring display of traditional siapo on loan from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) collection alongside contemporary siapo made in collaboration with Samoan makers Tusolo Aumale and Regina Meredith Fitiau.
● Projection mapped images of Samoan siapo patterns, and native flora and fauna of Samoa created by Lila in collaboration with Keith Deverell and Natalia Mann.
● Live performance bu Suga: Natalia Mann, Grace Vanilau, Folole Tupuola and Lila Meleisea musically respond to the themes of SA/MOA.
● Su’a Uilisone Fitiau, a tufuga ta tatau (Samoan tattoo master), conducts traditional Samoan tattooing in an open studio with the community.
● A welcome community space that shares food, storying, knowledges, craft and workshops that embrace and encourage inter-cultural exchange and learning.
Alongside Lila, this project is led by a strong team of Samoan and Samoan Australian artists including:
● Samoan Heritage Artist, Writer and Documentarian. Galumalemana Steven Percival;
● Traditional Samoan siapo makers Tusolo Aumale, Regina Meredith, Su’a Uilisone Fitiau
● Tufuga ta tatau (Samoan master tattooist) Su’a Uilisone Fitiau;
● Aotearoa-born Samoan poet, singer/songwriter, Arts and Cultural Development Practitioner, Grace Vanilau;
● Samoan diaspora resonance artist and harpist, Natalia Mann;
● Samoan diaspora performer and activist Folole Tupuola.
SA/MOA will be realised with support from Performing Lines Tasmania as producers, lighting designer and audio-visual artist Keith Deverell, Moonah Arts Centre, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) and the Samoan Cultural Collective Tasmania (SCCT).
