Artist Spotlight Toka Valu
- Leilani Lewis
- Apr 23
- 1 min read
Published by Public Display Art | April 23, 2025
Overview
In this Artist Spotlight for Public Display Art, Leilani Lewis profiles muralist Toka Valu, whose bold, culturally grounded work redefines public art in the Pacific Northwest. Through vivid narrative, she traces Valu’s artistic evolution—from his roots in Tonga to large-scale murals that reshape Seattle’s visual and cultural landscape.
Perspective
Leilani highlights how Valu’s art bridges ancestral knowledge with contemporary expression, reclaiming space and honoring Indigenous and Pacific Islander identities in a rapidly transforming city.
Insights
The piece underscores how public art can act as a force for both visibility and resistance, especially for artists of color navigating erasure and displacement. Valu’s work becomes a reflection of survival, beauty, and political clarity in public space.
Strategic Focus
This article showcases Leilani’s writing as a form of cultural advocacy, amplifying voices that challenge dominant narratives and affirm belonging. Her profile deepens public understanding of how art, place, and equity intersect, aligning with her broader work in consulting, culture, and creative strategy.
