labourer visible. It is a role that often Pacific people fill and while it is important for any functioning society, it is one that goes unnoticed. John acts out narratives from members of various communities, placing himself as the subject. This method allows for a trust of the artist and results in a powerful display of endurance. John responds to a variety of happenings affecting his surroundings including the 2009 Pacific Tsunami, the rights of workers through the Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme and the growing demand for social welfare as well as increases of New Zealanders living in poverty.
John’s work Finish this week off and that’s it! was first made in 2009 and remade again in 2014 for Welcome, Artspace. It is made up of five life size projections filmed a week apart of the artist holding a large rock for as long as he can before disappearing out of view. For the duration of the filming John ate below the poverty line ($2.25 per week), tracking the changes of his body and strength. By highlighting the physical impact of eating on this budget, John reminds us that those who are limited to this budget quite often have physically demanding jobs. Finish this week off and that’s it! is a subtle allegory to an invisible underclass of today’s society.
John has exhibited in a number of group and solo exhibitions including: Honolulu Biennial, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2017; Influx, ST PAUL St Gallery, 2016; Talanoa, Colloquies of The Unrecognised Worker, MTG Hawke's Bay, 2015; Welcome, ARTSPACE, 2014; What’s the hurry?,  Ramp Gallery, 2014; Tonga’ I Onopooni, Tonga Contemporary, Pataka Art + Museum, 2014; Close To Home, St Paul St Gallery, 2013; Final Parlour Show, Otahuhu, Leilani Kake and Rebecca Hobbs House, 2013; Ship High In Transition, St Paul St Gallery 3, 2009; Cross, Cross St Gallery, 2008; Fish Bowl Tank, Cross St Gallery, 2007. In 2013 he had a solo show Homage to Hoi Polloi, Papakura Art Gallery, 2013.
