Considering notions of home and away, migration, refuge and manaakitanga (care), the title of Etanah Lalau-Talapa’s work, Toe Feiloa’i Afea?, translates from Samoan to When will we meet again? A simple question, of expansive nature. Speaking at once to concepts of personal, national and global relevance, Lalau-Talapa holds it all in view. A vantage point that could be likened to that of the Tuli bird (Pacific Golden Plover) as it journeys south, thinking of itself, its flock, where it comes from and where it is going.

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Etanah Lalau-Talapa is a multidisciplinary artist and curator of Afega and Sa’anapu heritage from Samoa. With a Bachelor of Design in Spatial Design from College of Creative Arts at Massey University, her work spans across public installations, digital art, mixed-media and a passion for nurturing community arts. Her works often explore motherhood, family lineage and lived experiences
of Pacific diaspora in Aotearoa. At the intersection of discovering new visual languages that bridge traditional elements and contemporary creative forms together, her artworks reflect her upbringing and Samoan heritage. Etanah is currently working as Hutt City Council’s Community Arts Facilitator.

Recent solo exhibitions and presentations include: Off the Mark(ings), The Physics Room Ōtautahi 2024; O Le Malamalama o le Loto Fa’amagalo (The Light of Forgiveness), Te Ara i Whiti Light Trails 2024; La’u penina, my pearl, farewell, play_station_space, 2023.