HILO, Hawaii – Two sustainability-themed murals are going up around Downtown Hilo – one at the Hilo Town Tavern and the other at the Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe – thanks to a dedicated arts-based group.
Ashley Kierkiewicz, the regional director of the Temple Children organization that is coordinating the project, sent these photos and a media release that details the ongoing work of artists Lauren YS, Wooden Wave and David “MEGGS” Hooke.
The project is expected to be completed by this weekend.
Lauren YS paints her mural in Hilo. Photo by Miya Tsukazaki.
Wooden Wave X MEGGS painting in Hilo, Photo by Miya Tsukazaki
MEDIA RELEASE
(HILO, HAWAIʻI, MAY 5, 2016) – This week, globally renowned artists Lauren YS, Wooden Wave and David “MEGGS” Hooke are painting sustainability-themed murals as part of a concerted effort to invigorate and beautify Downtown Hilo.
Bay Area artist Lauren YS, who studied at Stanford University, is painting the Hilo Town Tavern. Lāʻie-based artist Matthew Ortiz of Wooden Wave is leading the mural at Short N Sweet Bakery in collaboration with Australian artist, MEGGS.
At the Hilo Town Tavern, Lauren pays homage to her sister Dani, who recently graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University with an astrobiology degree. Dani is depicted as a “cyber-hybrid space biologist traversing a sustainable future dreamscape in search of nutrient rich, local flora” because of Dani’s focus during her NASA internship to find plants that could possibly be used to sustain life on Mars.
The maritime scene at Short N Sweet was commissioned by Energy Excelerator, a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to solving the world’s energy challenges. Inspired by Hawaiʻi’s mandated clean energy goals, Wooden Wave’s mural depicts a large sustainability boat equipped with various permaculture and energy producing systems. The ‘community on a boat’ is outfitted with a bakery, a nod to the building’s history and Hilo’s iconic mom-and-pop shops.
The Hilo murals are led by Temple Children, an arts-based organization founded by Hilo-native Miya Tsukazaki and her partner MEGGS that coordinates projects to strengthen communities, promote social and environmental innovation, and incite positive global change. Ashley Kierkiewicz rounds out the team as Temple Children’s Regional Director.
To support the project, HPM Building Supply generously donated Pratt & Lambert paint and various supplies; Hilo Town Tavern and Short N Sweet provided additional onsite assistance.
The murals are expected to be complete this Saturday, May 7. A third and final mural led by MEGGS in collaboration with Oahu-based muralist and tattoo artist Lucky Olelo will commence at Lucy’s Taqueria/Laundry Express the week of May 15.
Individuals or organizations interested in contributing to the project or inquiring about a mural commission in the Hawaii region may contact Ashley Kierkiewicz at (808) 989-4004.
About Temple Children
Temple Children is an arts-based organization that coordinates art and food-based projects in Hawaii and internationally to strengthen communities, promote social and environmental innovation, and incite positive global change. TempleChildren.com // IG: @templechildrenLauren YS
Oakland-based Lauren YS (YoungSmith) creates misfit wonderlands in which imaginary, fantastical heroines address the absurdities of reality. YS studied at Stanford University and worked for Juxtapoz Magazine and DreamWorks. She has live-painted at various international festivals including Art Basel Miami, Pow! Wow! Hawaii, and PangeaSeed’s Sea Walls (New Zealand). LaurenYS.com // IG: @lolo.ysWooden Wave
Matthew and Roxanne Ortiz are the Lāʻie -based artist duo behind Wooden Wave, a creative team known for its hand-drawn aesthetic that reflects a playful sensibility. The couple draws from their love of surfing and deep connection to nature to create art that presents a whimsical take on sustainability and development. Wooden Wave works in cooperation with Lana Lane Studios to revitalize the Kakaʻako community and have painted and designed for various organizations such as Olukai, the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club, and Pow! Wow! Worldwide. WoodenWaveArt.com // IG: @wooden_waveMEGGS
One of Australia’s most progressive street and fine artists, David “MEGGS” Hooke is recognized for his unique, expressive, and energetic style with references to pop-culture, the natural world, and socio-cultural issues. MEGGS has done work for Nike, Stussy, Addict, New Balance and Burton, among others. He travels extensively and participates in global art festivals including PangeaSeed’s Sea Walls, and Pow! Wow! Worldwide. HouseOfMeggs.com // IG: @houseofmeggsEnergy Excelerator
Energy Excelerator is a mission-driven nonprofit mandated to solve the world’s energy system challenges. The national program focuses on de-risking and commercializing early stage energy technologies, using Hawaii and Asia Pacific as a test-bed to create meaningful demonstration projects that complement each other in order to advance clean energy across the whole system. EnergyExcelerator.com // Twitter: @Energy_ExcelHPM Building Supply
HPM Building Supply, once a small, family-owned lumber mill, is now 100 percent employee owned and has grown to include three full-service building supply centers and four lumberyards on Hawaii Island, one building supply center/lumberyard on Oahu, and two on Kauai. HPM manufactures pre-engineered trusses, wall panels, metal roofing and pre-hung doors, and treats its own lumber. HPM provides quality lumber and building materials including paint from Pratt & Lambert and Benjamin Moore so local builders can build better. HPMHawaii.com // FB, IG, Twitter: @HPMHawaii
by Big Island Video News
on at
STORY SUMMARY
HILO - The Temple Children organization is coordinating a series of sustainability-themed works on the walls of well known Hilo businesses.