Pacific arts prize launched at University of Auckland

Postgraduate student Benjamin Work wins inaugural Fatu Feu’u Pacific Arts Prize.

image of Benjamin Work and Fatu Feu'u
Arts prize winner Benjamin Work with distinguished artist Fatu Feu'u ONZM

Elam School Master of Fine Arts student Benjamin Work, is the inaugural recipient of the Fatu Feu’u Pacific Arts Prize from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. 

The award was established by historian Dr Felicity Barnes from the University and Michael Whitehead. Named after renowned Sāmoan artist Fatu Feu’u ONZM, a Distinguished Alumni of the University, it honours his work and leadership in the arts community. Feu’u was a guest of honour at the launch of the award on 21 August 2024 at the Fale Pasifika.

Set up to be offered over the next ten years, the arts award rewards excellence in creative practice for Pacific students, and is also designed to support students at postgraduate level with a $15,000 prize. 

“The idea is to have an award that recognises talent, but is also pragmatic and helps to lessen the difficulty of financial burden,” Dr Barnes says referring to the challenges of undertaking tertiary study. 

Image of work from Benjamin Work
Motutapu by Benjamin Work, 2022. Photo by Sam Hartnett

I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude hearing I had won the inaugural Fatu Feu'u Arts Prize. It's a blessing that supports me and allows me to focus on giving my best, to my MFA journey while at Elam.

Benjamin Work Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland

Having recently returned from Tonga, the Fatu Feu'u Arts Prize winner decided to continue his research at the University. Picking up the award will allow Work to give his absolute best for the Master of Fine Arts journey.

"I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude, hearing I had won the inaugural Fatu Feu'u Arts Prize. It's a blessing that supports me and allows me to focus on giving my best to my MFA journey while at Elam," he says. 

The art of Work (Vava'u/Tonga, Scotland) explores the recent history of Pacific artists from Aotearoa on American sub/pop culture, while also examining the complexities of contemporary cultural institutions and their relationship with Pacific peoples. His postgraduate studies focus on new sculptural forms based on research of ancient Tangata Moana treasures.  

“I envision finishing my MFA and then looking at starting my doctorate, ideally publishing my findings, exhibiting and collaborating with other Tangata Moana and Tangata Whenua artists and academics.” 

Work says a component of this will be to create a book looking into the evolving nature of Tangata Moana contemporary art, within the Moana region and throughout the diasporic communities worldwide. 

Media contact

Kim Meredith | Pacific media adviser

 E: kim.meredith@auckland.ac.nz 

M: 0274 357 591