MAU Photography

25/12/2022

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all my beautiful followers from my family to yours. God bless. 🥰

16/12/2022

And just like that" - MALU IN THE CITY: THE ART OF RESPECT a mini doco series (video installation) of Li'aifaiva Malofie and his TATAU process is on the cube screens in THE CITY OF LITERATURE. My solo exhibition will run throughout the 22/23 summer holiday season. A quick S/O and thank you to Ali and the team at for setting this up for me, stoked I got to see it before I flew out. 🙌🏽🎞🤩

13/09/2022

If you're around the way, check out MALU IN THE CITY - CULTURE THROUGH THE LENS my solo photography exhibition that's currently on and FREE to view at the Otago Museum.

22/08/2022

MALU IN THE CITY - CULTURE THROUGH THE LENS

Explore Tatau – Malu (traditional Samoan tattoo) through this exhibition of black and white photography by Virginia Mau G. These images document the Li’aifaiva Malofie family, who are Tufuga Ta Tatau, traditional Samoan tattoo practitioners, from Safotu, Savaii in Samoa.

This beautiful display gives insight into one of the most sacred cultural practices within Samoan culture.

Virginia Mau G (aka Miss V) is an activist and multi-talented writer and artist across a range of disciplines. Her first taste of photography came at the age of nine when she received her first camera kit from her father. Of Samoan, German and Portuguese descent, Miss V specialises in Polynesian and ethnic diaspora, creative arts direction, content creation, and production. Her works have been published and exhibited locally and internationally.

Come along, view these incredible images, and see the beauty and meaning of tatau.

This exhibition is part of Creative Pasifika, Tūhura Otago Museum's celebration of the Pacific peoples, cultures, and arts.

All day, Saturday 10 – Sunday 18 September
Atrium Level 1
FREE

Otago Museum is committed to maintaining the safety of our community.

Visitors must wear a face mask and are encouraged to social distance.

PIC INFO: Li'aifaiva Malofie at work, doing what he does best.

Explore Tatau – Malu (traditional Samoan tattoo) through this exhibition of black and white photography by Virginia Mau G. These images document the Li’aifaiva Malofie family, who are Tufuga Ta Tatau, traditional Samoan tattoo practitioners, from Safotu, Savaii in Samoa.

13/04/2022

I come on facebook and this post seems to flood my newsfeed. Just wanted to add my thoughts to enlighten some on this particular debate that is circulating around our Pacific communities.

I'm very proud of my cousin Li'aifaiva (mum's side from Safotu) for not only continuing our tribe of Tufuga's tatau practice, but to also bring to life the traditional ancient art of the Tongan Tatau. There's so much debate over this post, what it really comes down to is the fact that our Pacific people (some not all) need to stop with the insults and ignorant opinions over 'what is' and 'what isn't' and it's usually from those that don't have the Tatau. Our people (some not all) also need to stop throwing around the term "ka muamua le guku, oga ka ai lea ole tatau" NO "e ka muamua le fatu" e leai ma se aoga e poko ai le guku ile aganu'u ae loko leaga, aga e pala upu. First, it takes heart and courage i.e. "toa le loto" to go ahead and 'tali le au' as well as to go through your RITE OF PASSAGE.

Anyways, we also need to stop with this 'post colognised oppression' we as a Pacific people (some not all) seem to place on our own people. Like the late Paulo Suluape once said to my ex husband (his coffin bearer) "E le'i ka se pe'a, po'o se malu e lafi", we should be proud of our traditional laei and wear them with pride. I have worked closely with ALL the Samoan tatau tribes through various cultural exchanges, so they know what I'm on about. There's a lot of work that goes into these cultural exchanges, it's the Tufuga's craft and his right to make a living off it to support his aiga. E le faigofie le galuega a le tufuga ta tatau, they are the 'chosen ones' to carry on the artform through their craft and each 'aiga o tufuga' can do so however they see fit. Our aiga needs absolutely nobody's permission to continue our tribes tatau artform. Too many people with opinions from limited perspectives and experience, without getting to understand what it takes to carry such a gift and pass it onto others through experience and education. If you research further, not many talk about how Paulo was the first to put the Pe'a on a female back in the day, we also got to understand that there are many non-samoans that have now got the pe'a and malu all around the world and throughout history. So please keep that same energy, and stop being so bloody selective because I don't understand WHY it's even up for debate still. Too many fiapoko's out there who like to 'stir the pot' and put others down, instead of showing love and support to our fellow brothers and sisters who carry on these traditions for the next generation coming through. The sacredness of the adornment/tatau is held within it's bearer and it's for them to understand and carry through onto their own personal journeys. I can go on and on (and on) about this, but it's pointless because what is easily understood needs absolutely NO EXPLANATION. IYKYK. Okay, that's my thoughts on this matter. Congratulations to the recipients and to the tufuga ta tatau. Lets keep lifting our Pacific people up, and spreading positivity by leading through example.

Soifua ma ia manuia! xx ❤️

11/01/2022

A mini shoot from the weekend with the beautiful Danielle Stowers-Boon. xo ❤️



MASTER TUFUGA: Li'aifaiva Malofie
📸: MAU Photography

11/01/2022

Just a little snippet of my work from the weekend. xo ❤️

MASTER TUFUGA: Li'aifaiva Malofie
🎥: MAU Photography
TATAU 🎶: Sons Of Samoa

** I DO NOT OWN RIGHTS TO MUSIC. NO COPYRIGHT INTENDED. **

11/01/2022

MALO LE SAUSAU!
MALO LE AU TOSO!
MALO TALI AU!
MALO LE AU TAPUAI!

Months of preparation (from all parties involved) finally came into fruition over the weekend for the beautiful Danielle and Teuila. It was an honour to be present in support and to be able to document both your 'Rite Of Passage' in the markings of our people. I have documented and been to many TATAU sessions (in the past 20yrs) and this one by far was the most professional and transparent that I have been to, and I don't say this lightly. I am very proud and honoured to call you family Li'aifaiva, may God continue to cover and bless you with the strength of a thousand men and the humility of only one. Your gift and talent speaks for itself, you were not only created but you were chosen and born for this. I'm proud to see you continue our aiga's legacy in adding to the DNA and blueprint of our ancestors, a vital and important part of our Samoan cultural history. There will be many variations over time, but remember there is only one story aga e tumau pea le fa'avae. Safe travels over to the states, looking forward to seeing your works thrive even more on a global scale. xo 💯☑️👐🏽❤️



MASTER TUFUGA: Li'aifaiva Malofie
📸: MAU Photography

07/12/2021

A great opportunity for our Pasifika youth who are keen on filmmaking. Check it out! 🎬🎥🎞 https://fb.watch/9Li3ljLA_r/

07/12/2021

It is written in the stars, welcome to my season. xo 🔮🌺🐐🏹❤️ #2012

MISS SAGITTARIUS 🏹
🌺 Model: Nazley Youssef 🇼🇸🇮🇱
💄 MUA: Stacey Nielsen ( )
📸: MAU Photography