Photos Courtesy of ExhibitsUSA
Editor's Note: The Stark and Forsyth Galleries on Texas A&M University's campus are closed until further notice due to COVID-19 concerns.
An exhibit exploring the history, artistry, and production of Hawaii’s enduring fashion statement, the Aloha shirt, is open at Texas A&M University's J. Wayne Stark Galleries until April 19.
This exhibition, Art of the Aloha Shirt: Keoni of Hawaii, 1938-51, is comprised of 60 objects, including original textile artwork, production sketches and swatches, advertisements, and vintage shirts and tells the story of an early innovator, John “Keoni” Meigs.
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 of the shirt.
John “Keoni” Meigs (“Keoni” is Hawaiian for John) 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 local Bishop Museum.
Meigs is credited with creating as many as 300 Aloha shirt designs. In Meigs’ 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.”
Art of the Aloha Shirt is curated by Dale Hope, a Hawaiian native and second generation veteran of the garment industry who authored the definitive book on the subject, The Aloha Shirt: Spirit of the Islands, in 2000. 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 vintage examples of the finished product. Art of the Aloha Shirt is organized by ExhibitsUSA, a program of Mid-America Arts Alliance.
Students and community members are invited to attend an Aloha Shirt Luau on Thursday, March 19, in the Stark Galleries from 4:30 to 6pm with refreshments, games, music, and giveaways. Wearing a Hawaiian shirt is encouraged but not required to attend.
The Stark Galleries, located in the Memorial Student Center, is open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday from noon to 6pm, and is closed Mondays and university holidays. Admission is free.
