2022 Lauren Hirai

"I grew up in Honolulu, and in my art, I have been inspired by patterns and processes in nature. I first learned to weave in a course at the Rhode Island School of Design Summer Programs in summer 2019. I began a course in lace weaving in spring 2020, but it was canceled midway through due to the pandemic. I am looking forward to learning more weaving techniques as well as natural dyeing back home in Honolulu.

My piece was inspired by the patterns and structures of kahelelani Ni’ihau shell lei. I constructed the woven shells by incorporating a combination of metal wire and various yarns, exploring how woven pieces can embody the curled form of shells. I created darts by leaving triangular sections unwoven and pulling on the warp after removing each piece from the loom. The color palette is based on the warm tones of the kahelelani Ni’ihau shells and my memories of home.

I primarily studied science in school, and I continue to be interested in what we can learn from the natural world. In future weaving projects, I am looking to experiment with different materials and draw inspiration from the local ecosystem to explore and reconsider human relationships with nature."

Lauren Hirai

2021 Lin Iinuma

"Hi! My name is Lin Iinuma and I am a Junior from University Laboratory School. I first learned to weave in Ms.Franklin's weaving art class.
Even when school was online during the Corona pandemic, Ms. Franklin provided our class with more than enough materials to turn our imaginations into weavings. During this opportunity I created this weaving, "clouds over hills". My inspiration came from my memory of vivid scenery. The memory came from a time when my family and I were driving to the North shore of Oahu. Two hills of deep red lined the road and mountains lined the back. The sun was setting, providing the deepest shade of scarlett which created an effect on the hill and mountains to make it appear more purple than green. The ocean also spread widely in front of us in a deep purplish blue. Tinted clouds floated overhead. This was one of my treasured memories that I have with my family and the beauty of Hawaii. I expressed this memory though my weaving by abstractly incorporating shades of light and dark purple hills with curvey motions of blue to express the ocean. The key point of my weaving are the different textures woven in white, to represent clouds and seemed to float freely in the sky."

Lin Iinuma