‘Moana Queer Taxonomy’ (2026) by yuki kihara

Artist statement by Yuki Kihara

As an extension of the short film ‘Dawin Drag’ (2025), ‘Moana Queer Taxonomy’ (2026) is a study and celebration of diverse sexual and gender expressions observed in marine life found in the Moana (ocean) surrounding the Sāmoan archipelago, which often challenge conventional human understandings of sex and gender roles. It highlights natural variations such as sex changes, same-sex pairings, and hermaphroditism.

The ‘Moana Queer Taxonomy’ (2026) comprises 12 embroidered pandanus mats also known as fala su‘i in Sāmoa. Each fala su’i features a marine life with its Sāmoan name as an act of reclamation from Western taxonomy rooted in colonial frameworks of classification. 

I would like to acknowledge the group embroiderers from the Tovio family of the Moata‘a Aualuma Community in Upolu Island for their assistance in producing the fala su‘i for ‘Moana Queer Taxonomy’.

Exhibition dates

‘Rising Voices: Contemporary Art from Asia, Australia and the Pacific’ 
Victoria & Albert Museum
16 May 2026 – January 2027 
https://www.vam.ac.uk/

‘Darwin in Paradise Camp’
Solo exhibition by Yuki Kihara
Wereldmuseum Leiden
The Netherlands
7 May 2026 – 3 January 2027
https://amsterdam.wereldmuseum.nl/