Daphne K. Jenkins

I’m a Portland-based multidisciplinary artist, writer and home-baker who explores themes of identity and belonging as a mixed Kanaka ‘Ōiwi wahine born and raised in Hawai’i, now living in the diaspora. 

Through my work, I express my deep love and longing for my homeland of Hawai’i while granting myself permission to embrace diasporic influences and joyful play. Whether baking butter mochi, writing, or making lei, I try to make a home away from homeland and create contexts for my own belonging. It is important to me to recognize the artistry in everyday cultural practices that affirm who I am. He Hawai’i au - I am Hawai’i. Haku au. I am a maker. Time, beauty, longing, and devotion are recurring organizing principles in my work. My work aims to disrupt the mainstream media constructs of “Hawaii” by leveraging delight and deliciousness to add nuance, depth and complexity to understandings about Hawai’i. 

onomaugoods.com

Follow me on Instagram
 @daphne_k_jenkins
 @onomaugoods