Mīharo Murihiku Trust’s annual Senior Artist exhibition comes to Te Atamira
Southland-born Samoan-Scottish painter Lyle Penisula will share works exploring his identity from next week at Te Atamira. The exhibition is called Le Satauro | The Cross and will feature 15 vibrant paintings, drawing on his journey so far as an artist and pastor.
Le Satauro translates to the cross, which is a pivotal symbol that comes through the works. First putting brush to canvas 30 years ago for this exhibition, the collection has been a development and labour of love over the decades.
“It’s a collection of works, really, that share a similar theme and the works document my personal journey,” Penisula says.
Penisula’s cultural heritage plays a big role in the influence of the pieces, with Pacific themes coming through as well as faith-based themes – he was ordained into pastoral ministry in 2001. Hailing from Southland, his father is Samoan and mother has a Scottish heritage.
“You’ve got both those influences coming through. I know in the Samoan culture, there’s a strong Christian value to that. With the Southland foundations of the Scottish Presbyterian Church, it's also pretty strong and comes through there. It’s my interpretation and my own personal journey of faith – that also comes through and it’s my own personal expression in that way.”
He hopes the works will speak for themselves and that the viewer will be able to draw their own conclusions, having a personal response. Beyond aesthetic appeal, he hopes people will have a deeper experience and feel something when looking at the art.
Penisula is also hosting a self-portrait painting workshop for one day alongside the exhibition. The class welcomes all skill levels and participants will be guided through the process. It aims to help people explore the rich tapestry of cultural identity through their own self-portrait – many of the themes throughout the exhibition come out of Penisula’s own identity and self.
“A lot of works are self-portraits in some sort of sense, so I’m wanting people when they come to the workshop to be able to search and find some way of communicating their identity. Being self-aware and expressing themselves. I know that for a lot of Pacific Islander or Polynesian kids, they find it hard to express themselves, but in the arts I think many of us have learnt to express through those mediums, whether it’s dance or music or artwork.
“Any creative expression helps unload what’s necessary or weighing people down emotionally, especially if they’re not good at sharing emotions. I think creativity helps lift some of the load, whether you’re in a dark place or in a happy place.”
Pencils, paint, paper and collage materials will be provided at the workshop, however participants are encouraged to bring their journals/sketchbooks and any of their preferred artistic media. This will help to make the experience more personal and unique.
As he’s been on this journey for 30 years, he’s often asked what’s your best painting; Penisula always has the same response.
“I always say the next one. I’m just hoping that the next painting I do would be expressing something of where I’m at, at the particular time that I painted it, which is hopefully something that shows some growth and shows something of my journey moving forward."
Le Satauro | The Cross will run at Te Atamira from 22 August to 18 September and is free to attend. Penisula’s self-portrait painting workshop will be held at 1pm on 24 August, with tickets available for $75. You can head to teatamira.nz/events/le-saturo-the-cross for more information on Penisula’s work.
