An award winning artist whose previous pieces have involved living with a pig inside a container will perform an installation piece in Tauranga this week based on the Rena oil spill.

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila will perform at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic on this Thursday in a performance he says portrays how the environmental disaster caused by the stricken cargo ship has impacted the Bay of Plenty community - environmentally and economically.

Kalisolaite ‘Uhila will perform a piece based on the Rena disaster at the Bay of Plenty Polytechnic this week.

The Tongan artist says his performance will enforce the idea that the tragedies occurring in our country extend beyond media.

'The remnants of my performance will act as an installation piece that serves as a reminder of the recent tragedy.”

Kalisolaite says his work often uses daily routines and everyday objects as inspiration and emphasises his own unique perspective of identifying with both the Polynesian and Western cultures.

'As an artist I draw my inspiration from my personal experiences and the experiences of the place in which I perform.”

Earlier works have involved him living in a shipping container with a pig called ‘Colonist' during which time he observed and mimicked the pig's behaviours.

Kalisolaite also spent two weeks living homeless outside in Auckland relying only on the generosity of strangers and the local food bank.

He will be performing at the main quad, outside the Polytechnic's library, at the Windermere campus at 1:30pm.

The event is open to everyone and will be followed by a talk from the artist.