Yuki Kihara is internationally recognised for an art practice that examines gender, history and representation in contemporary Pacific societies. Following the tragic events of Tsunami Galu Afi (2009) and Cyclone Evan (2012), Yuki Kihara devised a new series of works told from the perspective of a fictional nineteenth-century Samoan woman, Salome. Kihara was inspired to create Salome after seeing ‘Samoan Half Caste’ in an 1886 album by New Zealand photographer Thomas Andrew.

Siva in Motion 2012 involves ‘Salome’ re-enacting the devastation wrought by Tsunami Galu Afi through the Samoan art of taualuga – carefully choreographed traditional hand gestures that narrate a story or event. In this mesmerising video work, stop-motion techniques enhance Kihara’s movements – evoking strong winds bending palm trees – while also referencing chronophotography, a practice developed in the nineteenth century to ‘document’ understandings of racial difference.