Documentary Film

'Face Value' In post production.Having a tattoo on your face is not a decision that’s made lightly. Because of how it looks, what it represents and how people perceive it, facial moko is something that causes strong feelings and reactions. FACE VALUE gives an intimate human connection, instilling a positive insight for Maori and non-Maori into the life and connections of this living art – a culture that is uniquely from Aotearoa New Zealand.I have been working with our indigenous communities for many years now, looking at the effects the contemporary world has on a people with a greater connection to nature and their cultural origins and traditions. FACE VALUE charts a focus on this transition from the roots of ta moko to a unique time of modern evolution.My six years of research and documenting ta moko has been a crucial investment of time to allow for the relationships to grow, not only between the recipient and artist, but also between myself and the people that appear in the images.This is not just a Maori issue. It is about all indigenous culture that is exploited for tourism, consumerism and fashion. My aim with this work is to challenge this exploitation, to take the art of facial ta moko to the world through multi-media.“My photographic/film work is about intimacy, and simultaneously, is about challenging people’s perceptions.” SERENA STEVENSON

All images © Serena Stevenson. All rights reserved.