"Come to Me Dancing"

One morning I was out surfing early by myself (shark bait). I was thinking about my work as I was paddling out asking myself how and why do I come up with these designs. As I was paddling over the reef, I was looking down at all the sea life swimming below me, beautiful fish swaying and slicing in the water. The waves in front of me were cresting and peaking, beautiful and powerful. The soft breeze blowing ripples across the water. As I got out to the break I looked towards shore. The palm trees were swaying and rocking back and forth in the winds. All of these things were happening at the same time, and in a way I was also part of it. I son realized that this is why my work looks the way it looks. I realize that my environment is what really influences my work. The life style of being a surfer and an artist. My direction was in my own backyard.

The ancient Hawaiians also worked with their environment and surroundings. At this time I realize how the Hawaiians felt about their own work and I must be having the same feeling about "being one" with the land and sea. That is why the dance of Hula is so organic and swaying. Stories of the land and people are told with dance. The work that I am producing are vessels and sculpture that "dance".

The Hawaiians have a saying for this: "E Como Mai", "Come to me dancing". If you look and hold my pieces they are very natural, as if they have always existed.

Aloha,
Derek Bencomo

©2001 Derek Bencomo
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