FAFSWAG

@fafswag

Critically acclaimed NZ Arts Laureates & Queer Indigenous, Interdisciplinary Arts Collective from the Moana. Based in Tāmaki Makaurau - SOUTH AKL IG | @FAFSWAG PRINTS ARCHIVE

329 Following257 Followers175 Posts

Bluesky

amateur

Is this your profile?Claim it and fafswag.dirty.social is yours.Claim profile

FAFSWAG@fafswag· 23d

Blood Clots 2021 | Tanu Gago

FAFSWAG@fafswag· 23d

FAFSWAG MANIFESTO: Diaspora 2021

FAFSWAG@fafswag· 23d

'Only I can Name Me' 2021, Artists Elyssia Wilson Heti & Ria Hikori. Photographed by Apulu Pati Tyrell. Page design by Tanu Gago. ALTERATION: FAFSWAG Publication 2023.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· 25d

FAFSWAG: Disruption Vogue Ball Community-led, this is a creative platform for connectivity amongst pacific people navigating their unique identities within NZ's urban jungles. For White Night, these LGBTQ artists celebrated their lives at Disruption Vogue Ball. artspace-aotearoa.nz/exhibitions/...

FAFSWAG@fafswag· May 25

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...

FAFSWAG@fafswag· May 25

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

FAFSWAG@fafswag· May 25

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· May 25

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

FAFSWAG@fafswag· May 25

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· May 25

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'.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· May 25

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 27

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?...

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 15

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 15

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 15

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 15

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 15

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 15

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 11

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 11

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

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 11

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.

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Mar 11

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).

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Feb 16

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?...

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Feb 16

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...

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Feb 16

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...

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Feb 16

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

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Feb 16

'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

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Feb 13

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

FAFSWAG@fafswag· Feb 8

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