Overview
In the Pacific Islands there are many traditional gifts of exchange such as fine mats and tapa cloth. However, at weddings, funerals, feasts, or other special occasions, tins of pisupo (corned beef) might be eaten and also given as gifts.
Although cattle are raised on many Pacific Islands, pisupo is also imported. Not only does pisupo play an important role in the Pacific Island diet, but in the culture as well.
Pisupo lua afe (Corned Beef 2000) is a life-size bullock made from flattened cans of corned beef by artist Michel Tuffery. The work combines the art of recycling with a light-hearted and ironic comment on the value of colonial economics.
Tinned pisupo is an example of the replacement of traditional items by imported ones. This ‘un-Polynesian looking’ bullock raises the issue of whether foreign intervention encourages independence or actually fosters dependency.
Says Tuffery, ‘My corned beef bullock talks about the impact of global trade and colonial economies on Pacific Island cultures. Specifically it comments on how an imported commodity has become an integral part of the Polynesian customs of feasting and gift giving.’ (1)
Pisupo lua afe (Corned Beef 2000) featured in Bottled Ocean - an exhibition of works by artists of Pacific Island descent. Initiated by Wellington City Art Gallery in conjunction with Creative New Zealand, Bottled Ocean was curated by Jim Vivieaere. The exhibition gave artists the opportunity to create artworks which expressed their views of contemporary Pacific Island culture.
After completing Pisupo lua afe Tuffery wanted to push the ideas that brought it about even further. He developed a multi-media performance piece Povi Tau Vaga (The Challenge) involving over 80 performers and two motorised cattle in combat.
The performance piece symbolised the tension and friction caused during evolution when familiar customs find new expression.
References
(1) all quotes from interview with Michel Tuffery from Speaking in Colour, edited by Sean Mallon and Pandora Fulimalo Pereira (Te Papa Press, 1997)
Text originally published in Tai Awatea, Te Papa's onfloor multimedia database (2003)