Artist: Ararat "Rata" Afalava
Background: "The taupou for me is not just, as traditionally viewed, a highly esteemed figure in the village with duties and obligations to her family and village-folk. She has become so much more.
In my personal work over the years I've used the likeness of the taupou as the embodiment of Samoa in its entirety. From the culture, to the people, to the outside influences that have shaped Samoa into what it is today.
My work does not shy from portraying uncovered skin, so I do not feel the need to apologize for the partial nudity that may or may not offend someone. Instead, I will refer to the use of nudity in the fine arts as a symbol for what may lie beneath.
In this instance, the figure is free, unconstricted and of pure mind and intentions when performing her never ending dance. Her dancing being the continuing and evolving of the culture. All of the elements of her attire visibly leave her at one point or another, but only for a moment until they return, either still the same or completely dissimilar.
This symbolizes the discontinuing of practices and ideologies within the samoan culture only for them to be revived or replaced by modern traditions. She is courted by... foreign influences and the change they bring about, swaying along to and against her rhythm. Though the two exist in the same space and are both bodies of energy and power, there is always the danger of disharmony. The (galaxy) will either enlighten the taupous path or harm her well-being.
The (universal) change, is not necessarily a positive or negative thing, in my eyes. It is only something that must be experienced and made lessons of for the generations to come. May the taupou keep dancing..."
- Ararat "Rata" Afalava
#PacificRoots #WearYourHeritage
This t-shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for both men and women.
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Side-seamed
Background: "The taupou for me is not just, as traditionally viewed, a highly esteemed figure in the village with duties and obligations to her family and village-folk. She has become so much more.
In my personal work over the years I've used the likeness of the taupou as the embodiment of Samoa in its entirety. From the culture, to the people, to the outside influences that have shaped Samoa into what it is today.
My work does not shy from portraying uncovered skin, so I do not feel the need to apologize for the partial nudity that may or may not offend someone. Instead, I will refer to the use of nudity in the fine arts as a symbol for what may lie beneath.
In this instance, the figure is free, unconstricted and of pure mind and intentions when performing her never ending dance. Her dancing being the continuing and evolving of the culture. All of the elements of her attire visibly leave her at one point or another, but only for a moment until they return, either still the same or completely dissimilar.
This symbolizes the discontinuing of practices and ideologies within the samoan culture only for them to be revived or replaced by modern traditions. She is courted by... foreign influences and the change they bring about, swaying along to and against her rhythm. Though the two exist in the same space and are both bodies of energy and power, there is always the danger of disharmony. The (galaxy) will either enlighten the taupous path or harm her well-being.
The (universal) change, is not necessarily a positive or negative thing, in my eyes. It is only something that must be experienced and made lessons of for the generations to come. May the taupou keep dancing..."
- Ararat "Rata" Afalava
#PacificRoots #WearYourHeritage
This t-shirt is everything you've dreamed of and more. It feels soft and lightweight, with the right amount of stretch. It's comfortable and flattering for both men and women.
• 100% combed and ring-spun cotton (heather colors contain polyester)
• Fabric weight: 4.2 oz (142 g/m2)
• Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
• Side-seamed
Size guide
| S | M | L | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | |
| Length (inches) | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Width (inches) | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |