Born 1980, Auckland, Aotearoa New Zealand
Lives and works in Auckland

Edith Amituanai’s photography creates sites of social connection and belonging, particularly for Pasifika, youth and refugee communities. Her images often take the form of portraits co-created with their subjects, showing how they picture themselves and the world they live in.

For 'La’u Pele Moana (My darling Moana)' 2021, Amituanai worked with friends and family based in Auckland to explore Moana (the Pacific Ocean) as a place of longing and aspiration. Amituanai focused on Samoans who have travelled — or want to travel — across this ocean to Australia, ‘the land of milk and honey’. Through video and a series of images printed on organza fabric, Amituanai explores their dreams and realities. The title refers to a popular 1981 love song by Samoan band the Golden Ali’is. Amituanai’s 'La’u Pele Moana' is a love song for lands and people left behind, and a lament for our infidelity to the ocean that is so fundamental to life.

_{Supported by Creative New Zealand.}