Recent Work

For most of the past twelve months, I have had the privilege of collaborating with a talented group of Polynesian artists to create a major exhibition that honours the rich art and craft of the Pacific. Much of this journey has been personal, allowing me to reconnect with my Samoan heritage while contributing to a collective vision. The resulting works, both collaborative and individual, will be featured at the Govett-Brewster Gallery/Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth, NZ. This exhibition not only showcases our vibrant cultures but also celebrates the enduring spirit of artistic expression that defines the Pacific Islands. The following works are a result of this experience, which not only provided me with the means to see traditional materials but has added enormous potential to my ongoing practice as an artist. By engaging deeply with time-honored techniques, I have been able to explore the versatility and depth of these materials in new ways. This journey has led to a series of pieces that reflect both my personal evolution and a dialogue with historical practices.

In each work, I aim to merge the past with the present, using conventional media to express contemporary themes. The tactile nature of these materials resonates with my creative process, allowing for a more immersive exploration of colour, texture, and form.

A textile wall hanging with a beige background, decorated with black geometric and floral patterns, and a netted extension hanging down the center.
A textile art piece featuring a tree design made with fabric and thread, combining embroidery and netting techniques, with black and beige colors.

Lalanga 1

Ngatu (Masi or Tapa) cloth, earth pigments, acrylic paint, hemp & cotton fibres. 2024

On exhibition Govett-Brewster Art Gallery/Len Lye Centre. Nov 2024-May 2025

taimi lagona. Sensing Time

Ngatu(masi/tapa) earth pigments, acrylic paint, hemp & cotton thread.

Selected for SDA Pacific region juried exhibition. 2024

A decorative textile or wallpaper with a repeating pattern of stylized dark brown flowers and leaves on a creamy background, arranged in vertical columns.

fa’afetai

Ngatu(masi/tapa) cloth earth pigments, acrylic paint, hemp fibre.

Decorative beige fabric wall hanging with black botanical and geometric patterns, featuring a central open net design.

fa’asalaina vaitausaga. Traversing the Ages.

Ngatu (masi/tapa) cloth, earth pigments, hemp & cotton fibres. 2024

Percy Thompson Gallery. 23 Sept-15 Oct 2024. Held in a Private Collection

Explore the work of Suzan Kostanich

Fibre Artist

“inside each of us is a kernel of creativity, it requires constant nourishment to grow and flourish”