Nelson Makua

Nelson Makua has been an artist and designer on the Big Island for nearly 50 years. As a graphic designer, Nelson is known through out Hawai‘i, the mainland and Japan. He is a two time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner for graphic design and is the only artist to have created 8 years of Merrie Monarch Festival posters with his limited edition “Pele” series. In 2008 his Merrie Monarch poster received a Pele Award for best illustration by the Hawaii Advertising Federation. In 2016, Nelson was honored as a MAMo Awardee for his artistic contribution as a Native Hawaiian artist.

With many journeys behind him, he has spent the last 25 years exploring this new digital landscape with his fine art. Combining his traditional drawing and painting skills within the digital realm, allows him endless possibilities in the creative process. Nelson’s art is a culmination of blending traditional art techniques with contemporary digital methods. His art is produced in limited edition giclee prints from the original digital image created by Nelson. These giclee prints are made using only the finest materials available to assure quality and long lasting beauty. The canvas is acid free and is used in conjunction with archival pigmented inks. His giclees are meticulously matched to the original digital image in a cooperative effort with Hilo Fine Art Center to attain a giclee print that faithfully captures the essence and colors of the original and last for generations to come.

“I don’t concern myself with a “style” to my art but instead, I love

exploring many different visual styles that best depicts my vision for that piece. Guided by my personal history and my küpuna before me, I consider myself a Hawaiian artist living in my own time, creating images that reflect this time and place.”