Original Art Commission, by Margo Ray

"When researching ideas for a commissioned work of original art for the Robinson Estate family tree, what came to fruition was to use the ulu tree as the primary design element. There are three reasons that I find the ulu tree a relevant symbolic source. One is the Hawaiian myth of the god Ku sacrificing and transforming himself into an ulu tree in a time of famine in order to feed his family and his community. The second is the abundant use of ulu motifs in Hawaiian quilt making, a tradition that combines European, American as well as Hawaiian design and one that is very relevant to the home and family, treasured keepsakes passed from one generation to the next. The third is that the ulu is an enduring food source in Polynesia and is being promoted in suitable climates around the world as a healthy and sustainable agricultural crop.  The Ulu meaning is growth, just as the family has grown, multiplying and spreading from humble beginnings.

As the design of the family tree progressed, I wanted to add other symbolic elements into the piece to tell a story using visual language. I began reflecting on the history of the sea faring ancestors of the Robinson family, with the arrival of James Robinson by ship in the 1820’s as well the previous arrivals of the first Polynesians to Hawai’i. To represent James Robinson's arrival, I incorporated an image of a compass that is part of the family collection in the top right corner. To represent the first Polynesian arrivals, I incorporated a traditional way-finding star map pattern in the background of the ulu tree."