George Funaki

Malo e lelei, I'm George Funaki, a queer Pacific artist rooted in Tamaki Makaurau. My journey as an artist began within the fashion industry, where I established myself as an independent designer and freelance project manager. Over time, my focus shifted towards refining my practice in creative direction.

For the past three years, I've been dedicated to presenting a nuanced interpretation of the queer Pacific framework, with a specific emphasis on the experiences of New Zealand-born Pacific individuals. My work is informed by the Pasifika diaspora, addressing contemporary challenges faced by young LGBTQ+ Pasifika individuals, specifically Tongan.

I have three years experience of working within management and promotion for a number of independent Arts collectives - collaborating with ‘Pop Up’ galleries to curate a fashion of exhibitions that medium the idea of performance art. Throughout these ventures, I have been able to foster successful results with the support of collective communities, alongside a number of sponsorships.