Nathaniel Ah ken - My Grandpa and Uncles (After Mark Adams)

Liston College

My work represents the sacred tradition and strong family connection embedded within the Samoan tatau, particularly the Pe’a. It pays tribute to my grandfather, Asiata Tavu’i Pasina Sefo Ah Ken, who became the first Samoan tufuga ta tatau to practice in New Zealand in 1972. His significance extends beyond our family, as he was also photographed by Mark Adams, documenting his role within the cultural landscape of Aotearoa. In my photograph, he is positioned in the centre of the composition, reinforcing his authority and importance within both my family and the lineage of Samoan tattooing. To his left stands Talafu Aisoli, his wife’s nephew, and to his right is his son, Fauatea Pasina Lee Ah Ken. My grandfather personally completed both of their Pe’a, which deepens the meaning of the image as it reflects trust, honour, and the intergenerational transmission of cultural knowledge. Through this work, I explore themes of heritage, masculinity, cultural responsibility, and the passing down of knowledge through generations. The artist models I drew inspiration from were Shigeyuki Kihara and Greg Semu. Kihara uses the convention of formal portraiture, carefully staging her subjects to reference history, identity, and colonial narratives, which influenced my structured composition and dignified presentation of the body. In contrast, Semu’s work focuses strongly on the Pe’a, highlighting masculinity, cultural pride, and Samoan identity. His emphasis on the tattoo as both a visual and cultural symbol informed how I approached the representation of the Pe’a in my own work.