Dan Taulapapa McMullin
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Dan Taulapapa McMullin (born May 23, 1957) is an
American Samoa American Samoa ( sm, Amerika Sāmoa, ; also ' or ') is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa. Its location is centered on . It is east of the Internationa ...
n artist, known for their poetry, visual art and film. Their major themes are their indigenous Samoan heritage and their fa'afafine gender identity. McMullin has been creating literary and artistic works for over 35 years, and has received numerous awards, fellowships, and grants. They work in a variety of literary styles and visual art modes. In their adult life, they have spent time in
Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
(where they worked for many years), and now live with their partner in Laguna, California, and
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.


Childhood and education

McMullin was born in Japan into a military family, and spent their toddler years in
Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...
, before moving to American Samoa as a young child where they were raised on Tutuila Island in the villages of Malaeloa and Leone. They are of Samoan, Hawaiian, English and Jewish-Irish descent, their father was Samuelu Sailele McMullin of Leone Tutuila and their mother was Lupelele Iosefa McMullin of the Satuimanu'a. Their childhood home on Samoa has been described as "a traditional Samoan fale roundhouse with coral stone flooring and sugarcane thatching, brought up making indigenous siapo barkcloth painting by their great-grandmother Fa'asapa." They attended Cal Arts in their early education and later received their MFA from Claremont Graduate University and their BA from
University of California, Irvine The University of California, Irvine (UCI or UC Irvine) is a public land-grant research university in Irvine, California. One of the ten campuses of the University of California system, UCI offers 87 undergraduate degrees and 129 graduate and p ...
. They spent much of their early career in television and then theater, before leaving those industries to focus on poetry and visual art. They have taught both poetry and painting at the
University of the South Pacific The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and is owned by the go ...
, for the
California Arts Council The California Arts Council is a state agency based in Sacramento, United States. Its eight council members are appointed by the Governor and the state Legislature. The agency's mission is to advance California through arts, culture and creativit ...
, for the American Samoa Arts Council and the American Samoan Humanities Council.


Gender and heritage

McMullin's indigenous heritage and queer identity are central to their artistic work, as both themes and sources of inspiration. In a 2013 interview, when asked which non-artist most influences their work, they replied: "My old man, my boyfriend, usually in bed after yadda yadda, looking out the windows at the hills of Laguna, California where we are. It's moments like that I'm back in Samoa again, my soul is; and ideas come easily, like mangoes hitting a tin roof in the rain." McMullin identifies as fa'afafine, a Samoan third gender for which there is no exact English translation, but which is often described as a man who lives as a woman. Describing fa'afafine in an artist statement introducing their poetry and photography for the USC Cinema journal ''Spectator'', McMullin writes: McMullin, in an artist's statement in June 2016, said "Often, not always, but often my work looks at sexuality and the body. The body as memory, a key to our historical presences, to my own story and my oratory. There is a great cleft and an eternal return to the past, but the past is only a way to continue the journey into the future. A looking back as a way of setting the sail toward whatever my own indigenous futurism defines." McMullin has written personal narratives reflecting on both their gender and indigenous identity. In a 2011 essay for the
Amerasia Journal ''Amerasia Journal'' is a triannual peer-reviewed academic journal established in 1971 that covers Pacific Islander and Asian American studies . The journal regularly publishes special issues addressing a particular theme. History The Amerasia j ...
they explore what it means to be Fa'afafine, both from a personal and historical context. In an essay for ''
The Poetry Foundation The Poetry Foundation is an American literary society that seeks to promote poetry and lyricism in the wider culture. It was formed from ''Poetry'' magazine, which it continues to publish, with a 2003 gift of $200 million from philanthropist Rut ...
'' blog, McMullin says "Identity is not something we claim, it is something that claims us."


Creative works


Writing

McMullin's poetry and essays have been primarily published in anthologies focused on LGBTQ or Pacific Island indigenous literature. McMullin's first full-length poetry collection, ''Coconut Milk'' (2013) was named in the American Library Association's Over the Rainbow top-ten overall category. McMullin's more experimental poetry, such as their poetry published in Poetry Magazine in 2016, often blends the boundaries between poetry,
visual poetry Literary theorists have identified visual poetry as a development of concrete poetry but with the characteristics of intermedia in which non-representational language and visual elements predominate. Differentiation from concrete poetry As the l ...
, and visual art. For instance, his poem "The Doors of the Sea": Before the publication of ''Coconut Milk'', McMullin had already been widely published, and their solo collections included a poetry chapbook, ''A Drag Queen Named Pipi'' (2004) from Tinfish Press and a children's book ''My Name is Laloifi'' (2005).


Visual art

McMullin began making visual art around 2004 while living in Apia Samoa. Around 2011 or slightly earlier, they began to explore the concept of the cultural appropriation of Samoan art and culture, or Tiki Kitsch as it is sometimes called. Much of their work since that time has been influenced by this shift.Pacific Arts Association. ''Featured Artist: Dan Taulapapa McMullin, Tufuga Valiata, Notes on Painting''. PAA Website. Accessed Oct 11 2016 http://www.pacificarts.org/Blog_dan_mcmullin In a 2012 artist statement McMullin writes: In addition to painting, McMullin also does a significant amount of work in sculpture, collage, installation and photography. McMullin's work has been featured in over a dozen solo exhibits – including installations at the Museum of Contemporary Native Art in Santa Fe (2021) and at the
Honolulu Museum of Art The Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly the Honolulu Academy of Arts) is an art museum in Honolulu, Hawaii. The museum is the largest of its kind in the state, and was founded in 1922 by Anna Rice Cooke. The museum has one of the largest single co ...
for the Hawai'i Triennial (2022) – and in over 50 group exhibitions across the United States. In a 2010 interview as artist in residence at de Young, McMullin discussed the physical make up of their works, as well as how the many media in which they work organically influence each other:


Film

Of McMullin's many short films ''Sinalela'' (2001) and ''100 Tikis'' (2016) received the most acclaim, and have shown at film festivals and museums internationally includingin French Polynesia,
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
, Australia and
New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...
. Sinalela was filmed on a hand held camera in Samoa, and draws on the fairy tale Cinderella as well as a Samoan proverbial tale (a fa'agogo). ''100 Tikis'', an indigenous appropriation art film, has shown at the Museum of Modern Art with ''Sinalela,'' as well as internationally.


List of recent and notable exhibitions, publications, awards and honors

Source


Writing (fiction, poetry, and essays)

* 2022: ''The Healer's Wound: A Queer Theirstory of Polynesia'' artist book published by Pu'uhonua Society with Tropic Editions of Honolulu * 2018: ''Samoan Queer Lives'' co-edited, published by Huia Press, Aotearoa-New Zealand * 2016: ''Over My Queer Samoan Body'' published on
The Poetry Foundation The Poetry Foundation is an American literary society that seeks to promote poetry and lyricism in the wider culture. It was formed from ''Poetry'' magazine, which it continues to publish, with a 2003 gift of $200 million from philanthropist Rut ...
’s website * 2016: ''Pacific Islander Portfolio'' published in
Poetry Magazine ''Poetry'' (founded as ''Poetry: A Magazine of Verse'') has been published in Chicago since 1912. It is one of the leading monthly poetry journals in the English-speaking world. Founded by Harriet Monroe, it is now published by the Poetry Foundati ...
* 2014: poem "Tiki Manifesto" published in anthology ''Huihui: Navigating Art and Literature in the Pacific'' by
University of Hawai'i Press A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, th ...
* 2013: ''Coconut Milk'', McMullin’s first full length poetry collection published by
University of Arizona Press The University of Arizona Press, a publishing house founded in 1959 as a department of the University of Arizona, is a nonprofit publisher of scholarly and regional books. As a delegate of the University of Arizona to the larger world, the Press ...
* 2011: Poems published in ''Sovereign Erotics'', anthology of LGBTQ indigenous writers * 2010: Short story "Monsieur Cochon" published in
The Contemporary Pacific ''The Contemporary Pacific: A Journal of Island Affairs'' is an academic journal covering a wide range of disciplines with the aim of providing comprehensive coverage of contemporary developments in the entire Pacific Islands region, including Mel ...
by
University of Hawai'i Press A university () is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. In the United States, th ...
* 2005: ''My Name is Laloifi'' a children’s book published by Learning Media Limited of New Zealand * 2004: ''A Drag Queen Named Pipi'', poetry chapbook published b
Tinfish Press
* 2002: Short story published in '' One Story Magazine'' #10 (New York)


Art exhibitions

* 2022: Hawai'i Triennial HT22, Honolulu, HI * 2021: Exposures exhibition Museum of Contemporary Native Art MoCNA-IAIA, Santa Fe, NM * 2020: Hudson Eye, Hudson, NY * 2017: ''Auē Away'' sculpture in performance Metropolitan Museum, New York, NY * 2016 Los Angeles Public Art Biennial, ''LA: Water'', Los Angeles, CA (group exhibition) * 2014: University of Hawaii Manoa, Hawaii, NY * 2011: Gorman Museum, Davis, CA * 2010:
De Young Museum The de Young Museum, formally the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, is a fine arts museum located in San Francisco, California. Located in Golden Gate Park, it is a component of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, along with the California Pala ...
, San Francisco, CA * 2010: Pacific Islander Ethnic Museum, Long Beach, CA * 2008: Boomali Gallery, Sydney, Australia


Film

* 2016: ''100 Tikis'', shown at the Présence Autochone Film Festival (Montréal, Canada) and the Wairoa Maori Film Festival and Auckland Art Gallery (New Zealand) ** 2023:
Museum of Modern Art The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It plays a major role in developing and collecting modern art, and is often identified as one of ...
MOMA Post Doc Screening with kekahi wahi * 2001: ''Sinalela'', winner of best short film at the Honolulu
Rainbow Film Festival The Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival (HRFF) is an LGBT film festival held annually in Honolulu which began in 1989 as the Adam Baran Honolulu Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. History Businessman Jack Law founded the non-profit Honolulu Gay & Lesbian C ...
** 2002: the International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (San Francisco), ** 2002:
Outfest Outfest is an LGBTQ-oriented nonprofit that produces two film festivals, operates a movie streaming platform, and runs educational services for filmmakers in Los Angeles. Outfest is one of the key partners, alongside the Frameline Film Festival ...
(Los Angeles) ** 2003: Mardi Gras Film Festival (Sydney, Australia) ** 2023: Museum of Modern Art, NYC


Awards, honors

* 2014: ''Coconut Milk'' named one of the American Library Association's Over the Rainbow Top-Ten Books for 2013 * 2002: ''Sinalela'' won Best Short Film Award at The Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival * 1997: Poets&Writers Award from The Writer's Loft * 1989: Nominated for an Emmy from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the L.A. Area


Residencies, fellowships

* American Samoa Arts & Humanities Artist Residencies *
De Young Museum The de Young Museum, formally the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, is a fine arts museum located in San Francisco, California. Located in Golden Gate Park, it is a component of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, along with the California Pala ...
Artist-in-Residence * Gay Games Indigenous Arts Festival * Jerome Playwrights Fellowship * Keomailani Foundation PIKO Artist Residency *
California Arts Council The California Arts Council is a state agency based in Sacramento, United States. Its eight council members are appointed by the Governor and the state Legislature. The agency's mission is to advance California through arts, culture and creativit ...
Artist Residency *
University of the South Pacific The University of the South Pacific (USP) is a public research university with locations spread throughout a dozen countries in Oceania. Established in 1968, the university is organised as an intergovernmental organisation and is owned by the go ...
Writers Residency and Artist Residency at Oceania Centre for the Arts USP * Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, Research Scholar Residency University of Canterbury * Waiariki Institute of Technology Artist-in-Residence


See also

*
List of Samoans This is a list of Samoans on Wikipedia in alphabetical order by occupation. Arts and literature * Tusiata Avia * Serie Barford * Joseph Churchward * Fatu Feu'u * Sia Figiel * Niki Hastings-McFall * Shigeyuki Kihara * Lily Laita *Janet Lilo * ...


References


External links

*
McMullin on the Poetry Foundation WebsiteOver the Rainbow Book AwardTrailer for ''100 Tikis'' on VimeoInterview with McMullinSome of McMullin's work on AcademiaWatch Sinaela on Vimeo2010 Interview with McMullin by de Young Museum
{{DEFAULTSORT:McMullin, Dan Taulapapa 1957 births Living people Claremont Graduate University alumni University of California, Irvine alumni Academic staff of the University of the South Pacific American Samoan artists Fa'afafine Samoan LGBT artists Samoan artists 21st-century American LGBT people 21st-century Samoan poets 20th-century Samoan poets Samoan writers 20th-century American writers 21st-century American poets American Samoan writers American Samoan poets Samoan poets 20th-century American LGBT people Oceanian writers Oceanian poets