Interview Tanu Gago

Tanu Gago interview

Q1: Oh where are you from?

Born in Sāmoa and raised in Manukau City

Q2: Where do you live now?

South Auckland

Q3: Where did you study?

Unitec institute of technology

Q4: What did you study?

Bachelor in performing arts

Q5: What tools do you use to make your art with?

Still Camera and video camera

Q6: What is your work about?

Making art that directly engages with urban social issues including the fluid nature of ethnic and gender identities.

Q7: How did you become an artist?

I went to film school for 5 years but didn’t feel like for a job

Q8: What are your skills and experience so far?

Arts, film making and photography

Q9: Is it difficult to be a gay samoan man?

No, I’m lucky because I don’t have good fashion sense

Q10: What is your work occupation?
Freelance videographer, visual artist and a lecturer in the field of moving image and new media arts

Q11: Why do you like art?

Because I like to represent all cultures in the community or exhibition

Q12: Where was your first photographs displayed at?

The city art gallery in Wellington

Q13: Who commissioned for Tanus new body of work for the Auckland Festival of photography?

Sacred hill

Q14: What is the name of the work you sold?

Jerry the Fa’afafine

Q15: What year did you present a series of photographs of Polynesian?

2012