Washington State History Museum press release.
Tacoma, WA – The exhibition Art of the Aloha Shirt: Keoni of Hawaii, 1938–51 opens this Friday, July 1, 2022 at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma and will be on view through September 11. Art of the Aloha Shirt explores the history, artistry, and production of Hawaii’s enduring fashion statement. The exhibition of 60 objects, including original textile artwork, production sketches and swatches, advertisements, and vintage shirts, tells the story of an early innovator, John “Keoni” Meigs, in an industry that has left an indelible mark on fashion in the United States and the world.
“Aloha shirts have been in demand for decades. They’re a sign of Pacific Island popular culture in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, and something everyone can relate to,” said Mary Mikel Stump, director of exhibitions and programs at the Washington State Historical Society. “We’re delighted to bring this exhibition. It’s fun to learn more about Aloha shirt design, the textile industry and fashion history.”
Although many claim authorship, the exact origin of the Aloha shirt remains uncertain. The patterns of Polynesian tapa cloth, the colorful and bold floral designs of Tahitian pareau, and the sheer Japanese fabric used for making kimonos are often cited as some of the early stylistic influences. Sometime in the late 1920s to the early 1930s, when Hawaii’s economy began to shift from an agricultural to a service-oriented economy and tourists started flying to Hawaii in ever-increasing numbers, the emphasis of the island clothing industry shifted from the production of work clothes to sports and casualwear. Combining the young islander’s love for colorful clothing with the tourist’s desire to bring home keepsakes of their holidays on the islands, the Aloha shirt enjoyed massive popularity, particularly after the conclusion of the Second World War.
In the history of the Aloha Shirt, there has been no more innovative merchandiser nor better self-promoter than Keoni of Hawaii. John “Keoni” Meigs was a self-taught painter whose talent became known to the early shirt manufacturers in Honolulu. In 1938, he created his first designs, concentrating on Polynesian tapa patterns inspired by the originals he had studied at the Bishop Museum. Located in historic Kalihi district of Honolulu on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, the Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 in honor of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha family.
One of the most innovative Island fabric artists, Meigs is credited with creating as many as 300 Aloha shirt designs. In his words, “In a sense, Aloha shirts put Hawaii on the map. The first thing people did when they arrived was make a beeline for a department store to buy one. A lot of kooky things were designed, but I always tried to be a purist when it came to using motifs from Hawaiian sources.”
At 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 18, the Washington State History Museum will host a free event with special guests to celebrate Art of the Aloha Shirt. Dr. Linda A. Bradley, Professor Emeritus at Washington State University, will lead a fun, fast-paced gallery tour. She will share an overview of the roots of Aloha attire and provide insight into the broader cultural and historical significance of this style. Local collector David Bader will share examples of aloha shirts from his extensive collection, while providing participants with deeper understanding of how the style has changed over time. And cocktail historian Rene Cebula will present “The Origins of Tiki: The Drinks Behind the Shirts.” Guests can enjoy a tropical mocktail while they take in the stories at this event, held on Third Thursday with free admission from 3:00-8:00 PM.
Art of the Aloha Shirt is organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance. The exhibition is curated by Dale Hope, who was born and raised in Hawaii and is a second generation veteran of the garment industry. In 2000, Hope authored the definitive book on this subject, The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands. Much of the work draws from the collection of Dan Eskenazi, which offers viewers the opportunity to see Aloha shirts from a designer’s perspective, as well as excellent vintage examples of the finished product.
Bring your friends and family to enjoy this colorful exhibition and learn about the history of the vibrant shirts so many people love to wear. You can also see IN THE SPIRIT Contemporary Native Artsin the adjacent gallery. The Washington State History Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM. WSHS members get free admission. See www.WashingtonHistory.org for details.
Exhibition: Art of the Aloha Shirt: Keoni of Hawaii, 1938–51
Location: Washington State History Museum, 1911 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, WA, 98402
Runs: July 1 through September 11, 2022
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
Admission:
Free admission for active duty military and up to 5 family members through September 4!
Adult (age 18+) $14.00
Senior (age 65+) $11.00
Student (age 6-18) $11.00
Child (age 5 and under) FREE
