Art is one of the best tools for communicating. Michel, who is one of New Zealand’s famous artists, used art as his first language until the age of six since he was not able to speak, read, or write. He is a renowned as a printmaker, painter, and sculptor. He is internationally recognized artist who has made major contributions to New Zealand art. In 2008, Michel was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Honors List for services to the arts.

How has art played an important role in your life? Do you want to share any experience from your school life where art has helped you as a dyslexic child?M: Art is my first language, for me it was a way for me to communicate, up until I was six years old, I couldn’t speak, read or write so I would draw! I was transferred to a special school that was trialing a new model program. My teachers try and get me to write by saying that if I wrote a sentence they would let me draw on the other side of the page. The passionate investment from my teachers during my primary and intermediate years speaks to my achievements thus far. They still keep an eye on me, still support me by coming to my exhibitions, I am eternally indebted to them for their perseverance as that’s what got me through college and university.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind making of the “Pisupo lua afe” sculpture? How long did it take you to finish this sculpture? What is your favorite medium?M: The Bulls, (Povi) Turtles (Laumei) and Fish (E’a) sculptures I created more for children not the adults,. Children are curious and simply ask questions. The sculptures are visual pun’s that brought together my political and environmental concerns on the consequent move away from traditional food sources resulting in increased obesity, diabetes and wider health problems effecting Pacific people. The environemntal impact of deforestation throughout the islands through farming, ironically, while land in the islands is used for farming cattle, canned meat is shipped out and sold back to the Pacific by New Zealand.
My wife know’s exactly how many rivets were used to create Pisupo Lua Afe, as I made it by hand using a very basic hand held rivet grip, no electrical tools were used, so it was a mammoth physical effort over a period of 5 months. I don’t have a favourite medium as such, I respect printmaking, it was my weakest subject at Art School, so I took it on, turned that around and majored in it.

Image Credit: Pisupo Lua Afe, artist Michel Tuffery, New Zealand
Image courtesy of Te Papa image library,

How does your Pacific Island heritage reflect in your creativity? What do you like about integrating cross-cultural art styles?M: Both my parents met in New Zealand, my mother coming from Samoa and my father is from the island of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, he is part Mahoi Tahitian from Raiatea in French Polynesia. I grew up in Wellington in a newly developed middle class housing suburb, Newlands. There was a small number of Maori and Polynesian families in the neighbourhood and for a long time I thought I was Maori, until one day, this kid called me a ‘FOB’? I went home and asked my stepfather what this meant, he explained that it stood for ‘fresh off the boat and was a derogatory term for a coconut.” That started me on my enquiring journey about my heritage, culture, environment and how communities are shaped.

What is your favorite creation so far? What do you like about that creation?M: I love the process of research and development, I enjoy everything I do so there’s not one particular medium. Depending on the project or artwork I collaborate with oyher creatives and technicians to realise my art.

According to you what is the true definition of art? What kind of message do you like to deliver through your creativity?M: There is nothing ironic or distanced about my artwork, each piece is fully inhabited and stems from a deeply held position. Underpinning who I am and how I communicate and of most importance to me, is my family and the legacy I leave for my children, ultimately that is what inspires me.

In order of importance, could you prioritize the following: Wealth, Fame, Health, and Family and why?M:  Health – to live and participate fully in life
Family – as they are my anchor
Wealth – to create opportunities
Fame – not overtly sort

Who is your inspiration?M: I have many people who influenced me, Mohammad Ali is definitely one, and my high school art teached Gregory Flint, both passionate and real minded people.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you like about the place?M: Taputapuatea, Raiatea, it my family marae in French Polynesia, it inspires and anchors me, my place of being.

How can art play an important role for our special children?M: Art provides a necessary balance from life, whether it be creative writing, dance, music or visual, it’s soulful and therapuetic. I work all over the world running projects with youth and community and the one thing I’ve found to be valuable is to be able to provide that vehicle where people can be stimulated or simply have some time out by creative expression.

Any special message for our community?M: Always enjoy what you do and never stop wanting to learn and challenge yourself.