The Field Museum in Chicago is set to debut "Amerika Samoa," a temporary exhibition opening March 6, 2026, in the Regenstein Halls of the Pacific. Co-curated by Reggie Meredith Fitiao and Su’a Uilisone Fitiao of the nonprofit Fa’asamoa Arts, the show focuses on two primary Samoan art forms: siapo mamanu (painted barkcloth) and tatau (tattoo). The exhibition features contemporary works alongside historical pieces from the museum's collection, including a collaborative large-scale siapo created with the Chicago Samoan community.
This exhibition is significant for its community-led curatorial approach, emphasizing that indigenous people are the primary experts of their own cultural narratives. By blending 19th-century artifacts with modern artistic practices, the show demonstrates the endurance and evolution of Samoan identity and traditional motifs. It serves as a vital bridge between the Pacific islands and the diaspora in Chicago, highlighting how traditional art forms function as living records of ancestry and connection to the land.