Native Hawaiian Artist Mikiʻala Souza Explores Place and Water Through Layered Monotypes
Native Hawaiian artist Mikiʻala Souza, based in Astoria, Oregon, creates layered monotype prints that explore stories of place, water, and connection. Her technique involves combining ink prints with relief collage using repurposed paper scraps to add depth and texture, metaphorically…
Seattle Tacoma, WA, September 17, 2026 —
Astoria, Oregon – Native Hawaiian artist Mikiʻala Souza is developing a distinctive body of work through her creation of layered monotype prints. Based in Astoria, Oregon, Souza’s artistic practice delves into themes of place, water, and human connection. The artist’s unique approach integrates traditional printmaking techniques with innovative collage elements to convey deeper meanings within her art.
Souza’s monotype prints are characterized by their layered composition. A core element of her technique involves combining the direct ink prints with a relief collage component. This collage aspect is achieved by incorporating repurposed paper scraps directly into the artwork. The use of these salvaged materials is not merely textural; it serves a metaphorical purpose, aiming to represent the accumulated historical and environmental layers that define a place.
The combination of ink and collage is designed to add both depth and tactile texture to the prints. This method allows Souza to visually articulate complex narratives associated with specific locations and the vital role of water within them. The artist explores how different elements, both seen and unseen, contribute to the identity and story of a place. The specific details regarding the origins of the repurposed paper scraps or particular historical and environmental stories explored in her work were not provided.
Through this process, Souza’s art invites viewers to consider the multifaceted nature of environments and the interconnectedness of past and present, natural and human-made elements. Her work in Astoria, Oregon, contributes to a broader dialogue on how art can interpret and represent nuanced aspects of landscape and heritage. The artist’s commitment to using repurposed materials also suggests an engagement with themes of sustainability and the lifecycle of materials within the artistic creation process.
Story summarized from the original created by Brangien Davis on www.cascadepbs.org, see more information here.
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