Artist Kepola Dudoit creates flowers, people, and even the Hawaiian Islands using tiny strips of colored paper curled in just the right way to form a larger work of art.
Her art is on display at YWCA Oʻahu, AlohaCare, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaiʻi and American Savings Bank.
About 10 years ago, she learned to quill flower petals, “small as a dime,” she said. A few years later, she participated in the YWCA’s Dress for Success program, which gives women professional attire and tools to help them “thrive in work and in life,” according to the nonprofit’s website.
While Dudoit was participating in that program, she was asked if she could decorate the art wall at YWCA’s location at 1040 Richards St. in Downtown Honolulu.
She said yes.
As a resident artist, she created portraits of five women, all crafted with curled strips of paper, to celebrate YWCA’s mission, “which is eliminating racism, empowering women,” she said. Many of the designs also feature flowers.
Eventually, Dudoit was hired as a full-time staff member at YWCA, where she works today.
After seeing her art at YWCA, American Savings Bank comissioned a piece for the lobby of its ASB Campus, an 11-story, 373-square-foot location at 300 N. Beretania Street. For that piece, Dudoit crafted a kalo plant surrounded by flowers.
Since then, Dudoit has been featured in ASB’s Loi Gallery, which highlights the work of local artists three times a year.
Currently, Dudoit is working on several comissioned pieces for individuals.
“I love it,” she said. “I just love the story behind it. It makes it more meaningful and more enjoyable to create.”
What inspires her work?
“The completed piece,” she said with a laugh.
Dudoit paused before becoming more serious.
“What inspires me is other people's thoughts on what they would like and me knowing I can deliver that,” she said. “This was a huge opportunity to grow as a quilling artist and having YWCA open that door for me — and experiencing my first commission from American Savings Bank — it was an eye opener. It was exposure. I'm really grateful to ASB for giving me the opportunity to open that journey as an artist.”
Today, some of her artwork still hangs on the wall of the YWCA in Downtown Honolulu. When the art was first unveiled, people would come up to the front desk and ask her if she knew the artist. Initially, she was shy. Her coworkers would often step in and say ʻThat’s her,’ Dudoit said.
Now, she sometimes approaches art admirers when she sees them taking photos to share the story behind the portraits.
“That’s what makes me happy is sharing what the art means,” Dudoit said.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
