The Power of Patonga

 Art, Propaganda & Otherness in the Pacific 

By David Rose



=Introduction= As an artist and a writer I have learnt that I am responsible to consult with communities when I feature them in my work. This essay is an endeavour to reach out and unpack for the Pacific Islander community why I want to include their culture in this work and how I intend to fictionally represent them. I write this in order to encourage people with Pacific Islander heritage to critique and participate in the project.

There is power in art, power in words - power to move, inspire and sublimate. I was teased awfully as a child and I would hear other children say "sticks and stones may break my bones, but calling names won't hurt me". It didn't seem to matter how often or how loud I recited that chant, the pain would not go away - eventually I learnt that it wasn't so much the words that were said, but the feelings behind them, that gave them power - I was and am sensitive to both.

We all have different degrees of sensitivity to different influences. In crime, "intent" matters. I think the same is true in life and in artistic endeavour. The point is I am also sensitive to the feelings and reactions of others. Though I have learnt over 63 years that I am not responsible for other peoples feelings, I am required to take notice of them and respect them. I am responsible for what I think, say and do.

I would also add that as a writer I am challenged to be courageous - and write!

Learning from Experience
The last time I undertook a major creative project is was a screen play for a feature drama that ended up with a working title "Turkey Terror and the Warriors of Love". The work involved .....

[to be continued]