Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Junior, Desmond and Jono were the only Pasifika students in their AUT communication design class, and had naturally gravitated towards each other on their very first day. Little did they know, their shared culture wasn’t the only thing that intertwined them, but their passion for creativity cemented the collective they’re a part of today.
Comboys is a multidisciplinary art collective that uses graphic design, illustration, photography and videography as an outlet to express their cultural identity, and to just be creative.
All from different parts of Auckland; South, West and Central, the three Samoan visionaries have their own separate craft, but when they come together to combine their artistic prowess, something magical happens.
The collective creates art that conveys the intersections of their identity, with combined elements of their culture, religion and the places they call home, Comboys explore facets of themselves in the most creative ways possible.
The boys tell Tagata Pasifika that in Pacific Island households, going down an artistic pathway is not really seen as a practical career choice, but the design collective are hoping to change that narrative one step at a time.
Comboys say that they’re not paving the way, but only deepening the trails of Moana creatives who have made a career in the arts a possible pathway for young Pasifika people.
Credits:
Editor: Ann-Tauilo Motuga
Camera Operator: Ann-Tauilo Motuga
Audio Engineer: Leo Foliaki
