Through an endurance performance practice, Sione Faletau sets out to redefine traditional roles in Tongan culture.

Sione is a film maker and performance artist. He completed his Master of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Art, The University of Auckland in 2014. In 2014 his work Ula Kiekie was exhibited in a New Graduates exhibtion at Gus Fisher Gallery which was then later purchased by The University of Auckland.

Sione’s work often tries to break taboos of Tongan culture, by exploring traditional gender roles through performance. The use of cultural objects which are traditionally associated with women such as ngatu and kie kie

Ula Kie Kie is a 3 channel film work of a male singing and performing the fakateke (a traditional performance of the head). The male, which is Sione’s cousin, sings Tongan hymns as well as rap songs. Wrapped around his head are kie kie which belong to Sione’s mum and sister. The kie kie is an adornment which wraps around the waist and hangs to your knees and is thought to protect the seed of fertility. By placing that on the head Sione is exploring Tongan notions of sacredness of the head.

Sione’s work has been featured in exhibitions including: Offstage5, Artspace, 2014; New Graduate Exhibition, Gus Fisher Gallery, 2014.