item details
Overview
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries T-shirts are a most accessible and widely worn form of clothing. They may appear to be ordinary everyday garments, seemingly insignificant in the regions material culture. However, T- shirts and the images on them often lay claim to culture, imagination, history and places. They are an inexpensive and mass-produced form of clothing often used by artists like a canvas, to promote their causes, ideas and identities.
Significance
This T-shirt was made by artist Siliga David Setoga of POPOHARDWEAR, a clothing company based in Auckland, New Zealand. It is printed with the logo with the logo 'freshy n. derived from the abbreviated expression f.o.b. - fresh off the boat, a term given to polynesian natives. The expression must only be used in a light humorous manner as this fob may perceive your humorous intentions derogatory and bust you in the eye.' This example is a clever use of the standard dictionary structure of defining words, in this case the definition of 'freshy' (abbreviation for 'fresh of the boat', a derogatory term given to new arrivals to New Zealand by established residents).
Setoga has played with other historical icons, moments, and stereotypes about Pacific peoples in his long established range of t-shirts. By reworking these subjects in often humorous ways, Setoga turns them into statements of pride and identity.
Acquisition History
Setoga is of Samoan descent. His t-shirts and installation art has been exhibited widely in art galleries and museums. This t-shirt is one of several purchased from him in 2007.