Meleanna Meyer

Meleanna Aluli Meyer is a visual poet — alchemist of light and moving image, translator of ʻike Hawaiʻi — native wisdom through kaona, metaphor. Engaging audiences and viewers on canvas, in film, and the written word, Aluli Meyer interfaces with the world through a Hawaiian lens, which allows her to share authentically, from a Kanaka, Hawaiian, perspective. As a kamaʻāina, child of the land, Aluli Meyer has cultivated a deep appreciation and connection to the sands of Kailua, her one hānau, birthplace, in the ahupua‘a of Koʻolaupoko, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi.

As a Salzburg, an EWC and APAWLI fellow, those deeply engaging cross-cultural experiences have gifted her with rare insights about the world. Aluli Meyer is a seeker, with a never-ending curiosity about complex, intractable issues that provide a rich palette from which to draw, paint, ideate, and realize her work. Hers is an exploration of articulating personal and collective connections to people and beliefs, through line, color, form, and essence. While pursuing a design-photography degree at Stanford University (ʻ78); Meyer spent a year overseas, living in both Italy and France, as a student of history, linguistics, and design. As an award winning artist and educator she sees her work as a springboard for deeper conversations, and further, for reconciliation and healing.

Aluli Meyer builds her work, layer by layer, often digitally, pressing ideas that translate into resonant and vibrant images and films that allow others access into a Hawaiian worldview that is authentic and deep.