iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Picking Crew by @tanugago.bsky.social will be screening Inside Out Festival: Toronto this week as part of the shorts programme - Beg For It. This collection of shorts explores the ups and downs of relationships while searching for a light at the end of the tunnel. insideout.ca/event/id/69d...

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Through it, we recontextualize our cultural experiences by centering our own narratives, bodies, and worldviews. FAFSWAG Arts Collective Falencie Filipo, Tanu Gago, Tapuaki Helu, Nahora Ioane, Moe Laga-Toleafoa, Māhia Te Kore, Tim Swann, Pati Tyrell, Jaimie Waititi, Elyssia Wilson-Heti

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The Whānau Wall serves as a vital waypoint for FAFSWAG’s own visual and oral histories. It offers a sense of continuity to Queer communities often disconnected by biology or physiology, grounding the global Queer Indigenous diaspora displaced by migration and modernity.

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This gaze, rooted in centuries of unauthorized anthropological study across the Moana, exoticizes our bodies and creates an emotional distance from our ancestry.

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We originally conceived the wall as an intervention to the organizing principles of contemporary gallery spaces, which historically decontextualize Indigenous bodies to center the colonial gaze.

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As an installation, it evokes the cultural connective tissue linking contemporary Queer Indigenous identities to our celestial ancestors, material traditions, and familial narratives. The Whānau Wall literally translates in Te Reo Māori as ‘Family-Wall'.

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 27/03/2026

The Whānau Wall activates Indigenous archival practice as a living archive, expanding and contracting, responding to each location with different stories. In the Moana, a whānau wall is a familiar fixture of the Pacific home.

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We're selling our DJI - RONIN 4D - 6K Cinema Camera yall. DM us if you'r in Auckland NZ and interested. SPECS: youtu.be/JMp176zy_fU?...

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A powerful, high-fashion portrait of a person with long, vibrant red hair sitting in a dimly lit studio. They are wearing a black lattice-style bodysuit with red accents, red heels, and holding a silver sword that rests on the floor. Their leg features a large, intricate dark tattoo. The background is a theatrical backstage setting with clothing racks, leather jackets, and metallic fabrics, all illuminated by dramatic orange and teal lighting that creates a bold, cinematic atmosphere.

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A dynamic, low-angle portrait of a performer in a crouched, powerful pose within a theatrical studio. They are wearing a dark mesh top, black shorts, high-heeled boots, and a blue cap with "SWAT" printed on it. They hold a long wooden staff diagonally across their body with intense focus. The lighting is cinematic, featuring sharp golden highlights on their skin and deep blue shadows. In the background, clothing racks and metallic gold and blue foils are illuminated by a bright yellow studio light, creating a high-energy, industrial-glamour aesthetic.

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A striking portrait of a performer with curly hair seated in a dramatic, athletic pose. They are wearing a red sports top with a black leather harness, a studded collar, black hand wraps, and a dark skirt. Their head is tilted back in a moment of intense expression. The setting is a backstage studio with clothing racks and shimmering metallic fabrics. Bold orange light glows from behind a studio light panel, casting deep shadows and highlighting the performer’s muscular physique in a moody, high-contrast atmosphere.

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A dynamic portrait of a performer with dark, wet-look hair, posed powerfully in a seated wide stance. They are wearing a black lace crop top, denim shorts with a studded belt, and knee-high black socks. They hold a vibrant red ribbon or fabric tautly between their hands across their shoulders. The scene is bathed in a moody palette of deep blue and electric pink neon light. Behind them, a rack of leather jackets and shimmering silver drapes ground the image in a gritty, high-glamour theatrical setting.

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A striking, high-contrast portrait of Jaycee Tanuvasa in a theatrical studio setting. She is posed dynamically, leaning back with one arm raised to her head, wearing a black bra with harness detailing, black high-waisted briefs, and platform boots. Her skin is illuminated by a dramatic mix of hot pink and deep teal light. She is surrounded by the "house" of the performance: clothing racks filled with leather jackets to the left, and shimmering metallic teal and silver fabrics draped behind her. A warm yellow studio light glows in the background, creating a bold, cinematic atmosphere.

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A close-up, intense portrait of a performer known as Fang, crouched in a powerful, grounded position. They wear a black sleeveless top with a leather harness, fishnet leggings, and black boots. One hand holds the hilt of a sword resting across their shoulder, while the other arm is stretched out, gripping a clothing rack adorned with chains, a studded bag, and gold tinsel. Their skin glistens under dramatic teal and orange studio lighting, and they gaze directly at the camera with a piercing, defiant expression. The background is filled with textures of crumpled metallic foil and dark shadows.

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The collective is often referenced mostly as a Pacific collective, but people forget that also includes Māori. Here's some work from our Takatāpui artists Māhia Tekore and Jaimie Waititi. Eye's of Khaos by Māhia Tekore 2025. These decals on the outside of ArtsHOUSE in Melbourne Australia.

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The story of Leutogitupa’itea and the Pe'a (flying fox) was one of 7 pieces dedicated to the exploration of animals within Samoan lore and oral traditions, told through regalia, ritual, chant and Siva Samoa (dance) Learn more about Samoan Mythology & the Princess saved by bats tinyurl.com/dn9tse47

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The work was then further developed for another three months before having it's world premier at Manchester International Festival MIF25, at HOME theatre. Opening to a sold out season the work saw the final iterations of costume, lighting and sound design come together in a live cultural ceremony.

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In 2025, Pati Tyrell presented a work-inprogress sharing: SAUNIGA at AsiaTOPA (Triennial of Performing Arts) in Melbourne Australia The opening of SAUNIGA re-told the legendary Samoan Fāgogo (fable) of Leutogitūpa’itea, a princess unjustly sentenced to burn to death saved by a flock of Pe'a (bats).

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Ever wondered how the collective shares space and resources? Watch the team prepare for our 2025 commission with the Manchester International Arts Festival, in this short behind the scenes video. In the Studio with FAFSWAG Arts Collective. youtu.be/QtwaUs16nok?...

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Distorted Dreamlands - The Warrior was also featured on the winter 2022 cover of Art News - New Zealand. There's a beautiful spread and artist profile of Pati Tyrell and his portrait photography. You can still pick up copies from their website. artnews.co.nz/artnews_wint...

Our group exhibition TIDES is closing this month on the 27th. If you're in Oahu, Hawai'i please be sure to go check it out before it comes down. There are some incredible artists involved. Thanks to everyone that has been to see it so far. Much Alofa xx FAFSWAG ehcc.org/content/tide...

DISTORTED DREAMLANDS - The Navigator, The Healer and The Warrior - Queer Indigenous Futurism!! LESSHGOO!!!

FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 13/02/2026

'Distorted Dreamlands' created by Pati Tyrell and Ahsin Ahsin, is currently part of a window installation at Baily Nelson for Victoria Pride and Midsumma Festival. This trio remain some of our fave images of Pasifika futurism. Clock it!! Peep Ahsin Ahsin's website for more SWAG!! ahsinahsin.com

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Thanks to everyone that was able to join us for Boys Drawing Boys. It was a great night getting to know new people, share food and space, and making some art. Here's a few of our faves. We love how different everyone's works are. Looking forward to hosting another round next month. Xx FAFSWAG

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 08/02/2026

Wow that took two days to fill up. Thanks to everyone that registered. We're now at capacity. Be sure to join our "Boys Drawing Boys" mailing list for future workshops. FAFSWAG.nz We look forward to hosting the community on Friday. Happy PRIDE yall. Xx FAFSWAG

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 05/02/2026

Check out the details for our 🌈PRIDE event - Boys Drawing Boys, below. ⬇️ Due to limited capacity, registration is a MUST!! so please head to our website and register online. We look forward to hosting you. X FAFSWAG www.fafswag.nz/bdb

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 05/02/2026

Happy Auckland 🌈PRIDE month everyone!! As part of PRIDE, next week FAFSWAG artists Tanu and Pati are hosting a drawing workshop at AFI Studio, Mount Wellington. Thank you to AKL PRIDE festival, The Rule Foundation and Foundation North for your support to make this happen. Check thread for details⬇️

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 13/01/2026

We started writing on this bullshit. Stay tuned. 2026 FAFSWAG will be publishing all our recons and hot takes. The silence around our experiences with industry and platforms has not served any of us. Starting with these bullshit platforms. You might have the metrics but we got the milestones.

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 07/01/2026

Auckland can feel extremely insular sometimes. Specifically in the arts that have clear class systems in place. But as Pasifika people from the Diaspora we also understand our earliest immigrants to NZ helped build this city and make it what it is today.

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 06/01/2026

Watching the space come together, it's now settling into its personality. It's been about a proper year of making work in the space and we now know what works and what doesn't. It's not our forever home but we're especially grateful to have the space and resources to invest in our own practices.

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 06/01/2026

After two years of back to back international touring, we officially opened our studio in May of 2024. We moved in on January 1st but it took four months of renovations to get the space fit for purpose. May 2026 is officially the two year mark. We think we need to do something to celebrate?

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First day back at the Studio for 2026. Shooting a family portrait for a family of 12. Love that Polynesian families are so large and inviting. Remember if you want your family portraits taken. We're the studio to do it this summer. So don't hesitate to hit us up. Xx

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Hi to all our recent followers. Looking forward sharing our journey with yall in 2026. We will be following you all back. Thanks xx FAFSWAG Image: Pati Tyrell & Jaimie Waititi

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Also available at our online store are works from Samoan photographer and lens based performance artist Pati Tyrell. Collaborations between Takatāpui artists Māhia Tekore and Jaimie Waititi. And works by Moe Laga from the House of Coven Aucoin. Something for everyone. www.fafswag.nz/mketi/art-pr...

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Happy 2026 to our global and local community. Hope you're all enjoying the festive season. We have some exciting announcements this year. We're looking forward to sharing with yall soon. If your in AKL, hope yall are enjoying this amazing sun. xx FAFSWAG

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Thank you everyone that supported our artists and purchased a limited edition print from us. Now that we’re back in AKL, these prints will be going out this week. We still have a few left if you want to grab one for your fale / space. Don’t be shy, check out the link in our bio. Alofa x FAFSWAG

FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 19/12/2025

Congratulations 👏🏽🎉 to FAFSWAG artists Tanu Gago & Moe Laga on becoming round2 recipients for the New Zealand Writers Guild SEED Grants 2025. We're happy to see your feature film 'Shopping for Bullets' get the support it deserves! Can't wait to see what this dynamic writing and directing duo create.

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 16/12/2025

After premiering at Sundance in 2022, our AR sculpture entitled ATUA was presented across four different time zones in 2023. We love thinking about the digital portals we opened to our ancestors at the time. Looking forward to finding permanent home for ATUA in 2026.

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 14/12/2025

Ei Katu - A3 Art Print - "Ei Katu" is 1 of 4 limited edition photographic prints. Created as a digital illustration by FAFSWAG artist Tanu Gago. www.fafswag.nz/mketi/p/limi...

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 14/12/2025

Reclamation 2019: Elyssia Wilson Heti, producer in residence for Basement Theatre.

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FAFSWAG @fafswag.nz · 13/12/2025

It's been seven years since we made this reel. Say whatever you like, but we're still breaking the veil between the lies of colonialism, and what it means to navigate our practice in an industry of exploitation and colonial extraction. Facts are facts. www.artspace.org.au/publishing/5...

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While you've got the family together for the holidays. FAFSWAG artist Pati Tyrell is offering a holiday special for family portraits. Message us for details on how you can book in a session with our renowned portrait photographer. Happy Holidays y'all.

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Reclaiming our story from the cultural distortion of colonisers. This thread will eventually show the timeline of events. FAFSWAG producer Elyssia Wilson Heti is preparing the podcast episode which will run concurrently with these social posts.

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We're beyond resilient, FAFSWAG artists will never allow international festivals to determine the value and purpose of our cultural labour and our ancestral intellectual property. Working with our state funders in 2023 to reclaim the work and bring it home for our 10 year anniversary - ALTERATION.

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