Junior Tuifua

Sloth
Graphite on paper
18″ x 24″

Gluttony
Graphite on paper
24″ x 18″

Envy
Graphite on paper
18″ x 24″

Pride
Graphite on paper
24″ x 18″

Lust
Graphite on paper
18″ x 24″

Greed
Graphite on paper
18″ x 24″

Wrath
Graphite on paper
24″ x 18″

The opposition
Graphite on paper
24″ x 18″

Refiner
Graphite on paper
18″ x 24″

I have created 9 illustrations that surround the topic of violence and brutality through illustrated metaphors of the failings of character through my personal cultural lens (Polynesia). I hope to encompass some themes of conflict that are relevant to the human spirit. The will to fight, persevere and endure hardships in the pursuit of growth.

My artwork is centered around the idea of waging war within oneself. I show this by combining traditional Polynesian symbols with stylized characters. I have a heavy emphasis on linework and value and use a mix of hatching and smudging to create different values as well as using an eraser to help create contrast. I also utilize tenebrism in some cases, to create a purely dramatic effect that is dark, moody, and mysterious while also using polynesian designs to represent my culture to create something authentic. I embrace every aspect of my culture and faith and try to represent them in everything I do. Each of my works are packed with extremely personal meaning about how I see myself or who I wish to become. I’m also very much influenced by renaissance painters, eastern cartoons and western comic books and use aspects of each of them simultaneously to reflect my love/passion/respect for my culture/faith in a unique way.

Pride: I feel invisible.

Greed: feeling neglected.

Lust: I’m lonely.

Envy: a graceless way to learn.

Gluttony: emotionally starving.

Wrath: I’m angry and scared.

Sloth: fear of taking a risk.

The Opposition: Revelations 12:3

Refiner: Psalms 139: 23-24