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Story: Samoans

Samoan artists

Samoan artists

Samoan artists have made a major contribution to the New Zealand art scene. Michel Tuffery, born in Wellington of Samoan descent, likes to poke gentle fun at the negative impact of Western culture on the Pacific Islands. This 1999 work, entitled ‘Bull’, was constructed from corned beef tins. It refers to the way imported foodstuffs have undermined Pacific fishing, cultivation and cooking skills.

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Pātaka - Porirua Museum of Arts and Cultures

by Michel Tuffery

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How to cite this page

Lupematasila Melani Anae, Samoans – Contributions to New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/1627/samoan-artists (accessed 10 June 2026).

Story by Lupematasila Melani Anae, published 4 March 2009, reviewed and revised 7 September 2022 with assistance from Lupematasila Melani Anae.

Comments

whom it may concern
25 October 2021
Hi, my name is Elizabeth Sampson. My mother, Mary Phillips was born in Samoa and her parents were Louise Hellesoe and Werner Sasse. I'm trying to do the family tree for my grandmother's family. There were 11 children. One was Chris Hellesoe. I believe he had a daughter Almira and that she was an artist of some sort, and lived in Nelson/Picton/Blenheim area. I assume she would be well into her 70s now, if not older. Can you help at all? Many thanks, Elizabeth