Lyle Penisula was selected Mīharo Murihiku Trust’s annual Senior Artist exhibition for 2024. Penisula has long explored ideas of cultural identity alongside his late father, well known Southland-based Samoan carver Johnny Penisula.  Lyle's own work is influenced by his Samoan heritage including his faith.  He was ordained into pastoral ministry in 2001.

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Who is Lyle Penisula, the Artist? Tell us about your style of art.

In 1994 I described myself as a ‘Poetic Painter’ because I painted from life experiences and how they made me feel. I found that my meditation focused on the past as I searched for identity from the ingredients that formed who I am. Twenty years later in 2014 having now come to grips with my Identity I described myself as a ‘Prophetic Painter’ because I dealt not with my memories or my history but more about my dreams, my future. I believed I was creating a future by painting what I see before me – like a Prophet declaring that which is to come.

It’s now 2024, and the last 10 years has been a tortured painful season. I once heard it said “It may take 10 hours to write a sermon, but it takes 20 years to produce the preacher to preach it.” I think it might be the same with Art. 10 years ago I described myself as a “Prophetic Painter”, maybe now I’m worthy of that description, maybe?

My style of art? This is a hard question. I’d prefer the viewer to answer this question.

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What are challenges you have faced in your creative process?

We all go through challenges in the creative process. People often ask me, what is my favourite painting? I always say “My next one.” The challenge I find is in the mind. You think, can I paint another good one? Have I got something relevant to say? You can end up staring at a blank canvas and doubt your abilities and get overwhelmed. Sometimes I can paint a piece in a few days, sometimes the process takes months or even years. The key is to keep going and push through.

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Why do you choose paint as your median and the specific materials you use?

I enjoy painting. I like to dabble with sculpture and printmaking t oo but I always come back to painting. Materials are accessible and can be easily mobile. I love what I can do with paint. Painting is my jam. I use quality acrylic paint, it’s easy to clean and nowadays has the same consistency as oil paint.

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What inspires the themes and concepts of your art works?

I paint what moves me. My journey of faith, my struggles, my life experiences. I once described myself as a ‘Poetic Painter’. A poet writes what moves them, they express what they are feeling. I guess I paint what I feel.

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How has your Samoan heritage influenced you as an artist?

It has hugely influenced me. In the early days I sought understanding in the arts of the pacific as I sort ‘identity’. I was involved in the first wave of pasifika artists in the late 80’s early 90s. Initially I was hesitant to be pigeon holed as a Samoan or Polynesian artist. I’m a Kiwi with Samoan and Scottish heritage. I wanted credibility amongst my Kiwi peers. I’m more relaxed these days, I am who I am and whatever label people place on me doesn’t matter.  

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What do you hope people take away from your art work?

Ideally I want my work to speak to people. To minister to the human heart. The work to go deeper than just be an image that people go away liking or not liking.

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