|
|
HONOKA'A, BIG ISLAND HAWAII
Tile Mural
2004
The mural uses the metaphor of farming to depict the idea of planting
seeds and creating roots for our future. In keeping the history and
traditions of the Waipio Valley, a fatherly figure is centrally depicted,
demonstrating to the youth how to grow taro. The fatherly figure not
only symbolizes a strong leader, but the ancestors of the Hawaii Islands,
teaching us how to take care of the land. A Hawaiian Crow is also illustrated
on the lower right side of the mural. Currently the Hawaiian crow is
endangered, and as a community we must “Keep the Faith”
for its species to survive for future generations. Also depicted are
Ipu’s, symbolizing the music and poetry of the Hawaiian Islands.
The mural was created to celebrate the life of the Wesley Batalona,
who tragically lost his life in Iraq. Wesley was a man who cared about
youth, played the guitar and enjoyed talking story with young people.
Wesley also cared about world peace. In keeping with the idea of world
peace, in the background, letters are camouflaged into the hills, spelling
the word PEACE.
SKETCH FOR TILE DESIGN
6FT X 12 FT
