Arts students at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S) explored and shared messages on climate change through their artwork in an exhibition held this week. 

The Art Exhibition “Make that Change” was held by the university in response to COP26, an initiative led by the United Kingdom addressing climate change.

Yuki Lauina, a N.U.S student from Tuvalu produced Tuvaluan inspired works of art, which was displayed on Wednesday. 

She told the Samoa Observer in an interview that the Tuvaluan mats and baskets were made with a technique known in Tuvalu.

“We created the baskets, the mats, using different types of patterns that we use in Tuvalu. We were very excited to share our knowledge and our skills with our students and Mrs. Leua,” she said.

She explained that the group of Tuvaluan students at the university were happy to share their artwork and to represent their country. 

Ms. Lauina explained that as their country has been affected by climate change, they did not have to look far for inspiration when working on their drawings. 

She hopes that they can help their country, and bring the world's attention to the fact that they need help from the impacts of climate change.

Faitogafiti Vaafusuaga Mika, one of the university’s art students told the Samoa Observer that his project was stained glass with a picture of a bird. 

Part of their project was to use pictures of the environment to share a message to people that they are prioritising the protection of the environment. 

He felt happy that people saw their projects and the work they had done throughout the semester with their teacher Leua Latai.

He explained that the message that was being portrayed in his artwork was that number of native Samoan birds such as the Lupe and Manumea has decreased, because of climate change and what people do to damage the environment.

Another Art student, Maumalo Natio told the Samoa Observer that he was pleased with the outcome because the importance of the exhibition was to portray the message of protecting the world from climate change, with messages directly from the students through their artwork.

His artwork portrayed at the exhibition was a mosaic, and he hopes that in the future, after school, his work can tell important messages, for people to know the importance of the environment in the world.