Georgia Sartoris
sartoris@turquoise.net
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For centuries Kapa (bark cloth) has been an important part of South Pacific culture. It is made from the paper mulberry plant by pounding the inner bark by hand on a wooden anvil. It was used as clothing, bed linens, and anywhere cloth was needed. Today it is still very much a part of ceremonial life in Tonga, and the Hula in Hawaii.

These contemporary paintings are made from mineral pigments and gouache paints on hand-made Kapa. They are mounted to hang freely on the wall, in keeping with the Kapa tradition. The materials and techniques are closely related to traditional methods, but the designs are original.

I have been a professional artist since college, and worked for many years in ceramics and ceramic sculpture. Since moving to Hawaii in 1992, I have been inspired to work in materials that are related to these islands and their historical culture. The Kapa is uniquely beautiful in itself, and my goal is to enhance that beauty with pigments and designs that refer to the historical designs, but also contain my artistic and personal history.

I also grow and decorate a series of traditional Hawaiian Hue Wai Pawehe (water gourds) with a Hawaiian partner, Elroy Juan. They are closely related aesthetically to the Kapa paintings. You can see more of my work at www.hawaiicraftsmen.org/GeorgiaSartoris.htm