7 Nov 2021

Sound artist Anonymouz is inspired by tatau art

From Standing Room Only, 12:42 pm on 7 November 2021
Anonymouz

Anonymouz Photo: Supplied

Resample Tatau is an ambitious new work from award-winning creative producer and sound artist Faiumu Matthew Salapu, better known as Anonymouz. 

Inspired by his personal journey to receive his tatau - a traditional hand tapped Sāmoan tattoo - Anonymouz has expanded on his usual hip hop sampling style.  

Resample Tatau - Tali le 'au (lean into the pain) fuses audio recordings of the tatau process, live strings and indigenous percussion to create a seven-movement composition to be played live with a video projection next year. 

The Auckland-based artist and producer is also the 2021 inaugural recipient of the new virtual Toi Rauwhārangi Pacific Art Residency.  It's taking place online due to the COVID-19 restrictions. 

Anonymouz talks to Yadana Saw about a busy year, including his historic opening soundscape for the New Zealand Government's official apology to the Pasifika community for the Dawn Raids.