Tapu Hanapi, Founder of Native Arts Hawaii | Empowering the Next Generation of Native Hawaiian Artists
Tapu Hanapi, Founder of Native Arts Hawaii | Empowering the Next Generation of Native Hawaiian Artists
Tapu Hanapi shares the importance of recognizing art as an extension of oneself, embracing both traditional and modern artforms, and practicing self-care as a creative. As the founder of Native Arts Hawaii, a studio creating wearable kapa and feather art, she hopes to see an emergence of Native Hawaiians contributing to the beautiful growth of contemporary Hawaiian art.
YOU GREW UP IMMERSED IN TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN CULTURE AND RELIGION. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE A MODERN APPROACH TO HAWAIIAN ART?
I grew up learning the traditional ways of art and expressing culture. While I put art aside for a while and focused on raising my family, I decided to take a more serious approach to my creative career a few years ago.
I’m thankful for my parents who have always been supportive of my artistic endeavors. I was told that it’s fine to be progressive and that we shouldn’t treat Hawaiian art like a dead and unchangeable field. It’s with that perspective that I stepped out of my comfort zone and pursued Native Arts Hawaii.
I am now teaching and selling my wearable art work — my most popular pieces are feather leis and mini kahili earrings. It has been one of the most exciting and empowering experiences to not only honor traditional art, but also to be part of the contemporary Hawaiian art movement.
Tapu Hanapi, Founder of Native Arts Hawaii | Feather Leis
Tapu Hanapi, Founder of Native Arts Hawaii | Kapa Earrings
IT’S NERVE WRACKING TO SHARE YOUR ART WITH THE WORLD. WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO GIVE AN ARTIST FEEDBACK?
Sharing your work can be agonizing, because art is such a personal extension of yourself. It’s so personal and oftentimes spiritual that when someone says something, you really take it to heart. It’s like being critiqued for your body.
If you want to give an artist feedback on an art piece, start with something positive and then move on to any constructive criticism. We need to remember - just like there’s no person who’s all good or bad, there’s no art piece that is all good or bad. There’s always room for improvement.
HOW DO YOU INSPIRE OTHERS TO TAP INTO THEIR CREATIVE POTENTIAL?
There aren’t enough artists promoting Hawaiian art, so my whole purpose for getting into the art world is to teach, perpetuate Hawaiian arts and culture, and empower people to tap into their creativity. What drives me is the mana, the power, that exists within a piece. I strongly believe that the mana is passed on from generation to generation and translates into the art you create. You just can’t reproduce the mana and love that is passed on through someone’s art. Teaching brings me so much joy, meaning, and humility. When I teach, I want people to recognize that they have so much creativity, mana, and love to offer the community.
CAN YOU SHARE A SELF-CARE TIP FOR EMERGING ARTISTS?
Oftentimes, you will be met with judgement and critique, so as you grow a thick skin and find a place where you can create without hesitation, be gentle with yourself. Learn to love your work, find deep meaning in your art, and be the first to encourage yourself.