My name is Keilani Melton, and I was raised in Waimea, on the Big Island of Hawai’i. I’ve been an active “maker” my whole life - painting, drawing, photography, video and music are mediums that I work in frequently.  As a kid, I was able to visit the Exploratorium in San Francisco on numerous occasions, which is an interactive art and science museum. These were transformative oppotunities for me, and I especially remember the art pieces I was able to directly interact with. Another more recent source of inspiration is the artist, Yayoi Kusama, who created the “infinity room”. She wanted to create a room that made you feel small, but also brought up emotions of wonder and euphoria. These works have influenced the way I see and produce art. 

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My current project, The Box, is the result of my senior Capstone class, Art, Community and Culture,  at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. I wanted to create a multimedia work that provided an interactive experience of what it was like to be a teenager in this day and age. While this project was cut short due to the global pandemic, this was an amazing opportunity to conceive and manage a complex art project.