Photographer Greg Semu has been offered a prestigious 3-month residency at the Musee du quai Branly in Paris. With a mission to recognise the artistic expressions and civilisations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the museum was one of former French President Jacques Chirac's personal projects. Semu describes the invitation as "a dream come true, a positive affirmation and a monumental moment in my career as an international artist".Photographer Greg Semu has been offered a prestigious 3-month residency at the Musee du quai Branly in Paris. With a mission to recognise the artistic expressions and civilisations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the museum was one of former French President Jacques Chirac's personal projects. Semu describes the invitation as "a dream come true, a positive affirmation and a monumental moment in my career as an international artist".Semu no stranger to France

Five years after his first solo show in 1995 at Auckland Art Gallery, the NZ-born photographer of Samoan heritage exhibited in France for the first time, at the 5th Biennale of Contemporary Art in Lyon and at the International Photography Expo at the Carousel du Louvre in Paris. Since then, Semu returned to France to exhibit almost every year.

Semu to work on "theatrical re-enactment of battle scene" during residency

During his residency, which runs from mid-July to mid-October 2007, Semu will be working on "a theatrical re-enactment of a battle scene set in the mid 19th century between the colonial imperial forces and the native Maori of Aotearoa New Zealand. This turbulent period in the history of cultural collision in New Zealand is a worthy story of epic proportions that needs to be told and shared."

Full immersion a "life-altering experience for the better"

"The chance to live, breath, eat, work, drink, devour, digest, regurgitate, speak, read, talk and practice art in this global city of Paris can only be pure ecstacy and adrenalin," said Semu of the residency. "Full immersion can only be a life-altering experience for the better. I also hope to satisfy the expectations of the European world and of course our own homegrown art market."

Semu has consistently and provocatively explored issues surrounding the religious colonisation of indigenous peoples. His works are now held in private and public collections in Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand.

26/6/07