Paintings by Joel
| October 19, 2009 |
Information Regarding Kapa (Tapa) Cloth
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Kapa (traditional Hawaiian bark cloth) is made from wauke, the paper
mulberry plant, by a time-consuming, labor-intensive method. Hawaiian kapa
had many useful functions in everyday life in early Hawaii. It was used much
like manufactured cloth is used today, for clothing, table coverings, wall
coverings, bags, and other various uses.
The process of making kapa begins with the cultivation of wauke, which has
been grown straight and tall for twelve months. Mature stalks are cut close
to the ground when they are about one to two inches in diameter. The brown
and green layers of the stalk are scraped away, revealing a fine white inner
layer called the "bast." After the bast is soaked for up to ten days, then
beaten with a mallet, it is placed in ti or banana leaves in a warm, shady spot
to ferment. This fermentation stage is essential to the quality and texture of
the finished cloth. The fiber pieces are then beaten, shaped, and stretched
for many more hours before it is ready for the final stage in the process. In
the final stage a fragrance is added to the fiber in order to mask the odor of
fermentation. Wood chips, blossoms, or other plant materials are used for
this process.
Because of the time and effort required in its making, kapa was quickly
replaced in modern Hawaii with new durable, easily manufactured fabrics.
Today, this material can only be seen worn during special ceremonies or on
special occasions. Although the making of Hawaiian Kapa is being taught in
some schools in Hawaii using wauke, breadfruit tree, and other plant
materials, it is still quickly becoming a lost art.Kapa or Tapa (most often
made in Tonga) can be quite difficult to find, and acquisition can be quite
expensive.
To protect your investment in this treasured artwork, avoid hanging
unframed (gallery wrapped) art in any location that might subject your
painting to kitchen oils. Avoid using feather dusters or other material that
might become trapped in the Tapa. Instead, use a soft paint brush to whisk
away debris or preferably carefully use "canned air" typically used to remove
dust from computer keyboards and components to remove fine dust.
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Paintings by Joel
| April 17, 2010 |