Taravou Fitisemanu, a Tongan-Samoan student at BYU, played Division I soccer and managed a Polynesian art business before deciding last summer to take a break from sports and invest in his own business. I was having a hard time.
He said he loved football, but was drawn to something else.
“My greatest talent may not be what I can do on the field, but how I can connect with others,” he said.
He began by sketching pictures of Polynesian tribes when bored in class, and carved scriptures, diaries, leather goods, and wallets while on assignment. Currently, Fitisemanu designs wooden pieces that use Polynesian patterns to tell stories. These patterns aim to capture a story through the woodblock prints he creates for his clients.
He says the process begins with a consultation with the client, where he learns why they want their specific story covered. Fitisemanu then uses technology to create the design and sends it to the manufacturer to be laser engraved.
“It makes me feel more connected and fulfilled, and I can bring my on-field self into the art game as well,” Fitisemanu said. “Hard work, discipline, work ethic and consistency will never go away.”
Fitisemanu's friend Soma Helu said the Polynesian art is about tattooing the person who gets it.he said so Above all, it represents lineage. Mr. Fitisemanu made the piece as a wedding gift for Mr. Heru.
“I wear it on my body and carry it around with pride like a piece of art,” Herr said.
Fitisemanu compared Polynesian art to a favorite song. He hopes that by building a relationship with it, his artwork will inspire others to be who they want to be.
“The sacrifices people have made are paving the way for those who will follow,” he said.
Hell said he got the tattoo for himself because of its cultural meaning.
“I'm honored to be able to wear a piece like this on my body and to have Vu (Fitisemanu) create a piece for my wife and I,” Helu said. “It’s special… It’s from, you know, Vou, which makes it even more special.”
Vernon Hanks, the maker of Fitisemanu, said Fitisemanu's artwork is much more detailed and intricate than others, and has much “cleaner cuts.”
“It's his excitement… It's so, so genuine. You can see that he's excited not only about his job, but about his artwork,” Hanks said.
Fitisemanu said her intentions became stronger as she learned more about the meaning of Polynesian art. He said he wants to be able to share and give freely, just as others have taught and given freely in his own learning process.
“This is why we do this,” he said. “I think I'm able to put down more roots, and the deeper the roots, the higher I can grow,” Fitisemanu said.
People can learn more about Fitisemanu's art on his website.
