By Joelle de Poto 

Keiki is a Hawaiian word that translates to “child” or “children.” As a child, I danced in a Hawaiian dance group with many adults and children, most of whom were Filipino, like my mother and I. Although I have not had the chance to meet the majority of my Filipino family, I am indebted to Hawaiian dance for being a medium in allowing me to express myself and helping me build a sense of community. My sculpture, Keiki, was made using polyester fiber fill, a child’s hula hoop, and pigments from sweet purple potatoes, which grow on the island of Hawaii.

Joelle de Poto (she/her) ‘26 is a studio arts major. As a multimedia artist, she enjoys finding ways to integrate her studio practice with her creative writing practice. Her work is often driven by personal narratives surrounding themes of identity, mental health, and memory.