Juli is an Oahu and Italy based artist who has lived between the two places since 1990. She started marquetry in 2000, when she moved to Italy to study with the maestro Daniele Parasecolo, Italy’s top marquetrier, as his sole apprentice for three years. "I have spent about half my life between Hawaii and Italy, and the other half all over the world, mostly in developing nations and I would say that this is the foundation for my style and subject matter."

An idea for a piece may be as straightforward as a dream image, or may be the result of weeks of intensive research, especially when she is tapping into myth, anthropology, history and symbolism as the subject matter for her work. It begins with sketches with the final line drawing on vellum which becomes the template for the next phase, that of hand-cutting the wood veneers. "I use wood veneers which are salvaged from shop floors as well as from perfect bundles coming from all parts of the world, giving preference to local sources when possible." Each single piece is carefully selected for colour, grain and "feel" and then secured to the drawing until the whole thing is reproduced in wood.

"I shape and fit together these materials to create works of art that serve as metaphors for cooperation and respect between peoples and species."

The completed veneer drawing is then glued to a plywood base in a vacuum press, after which it is carefully cleaned and sanded. Fine detail and outline is added by carving thin v-shaped grooves into the finished piece and filling them with mineral pastes. Some of these pastes are produced in Italy, others she makes from found minerals she collects on the mountain paths of Oahu. The piece must then be sanded again and is then ready for the next process. "I add colour to enhance that which is already visible in the wood, thin veils of watercolour, pencils, minerals or oil colour, depending on the final effect I am trying to achieve. I want to the wood to remain the main protagonist, so the balance between the added colours and the wood must be subtle."

Artist statement:

"I work with wood because it remains alive. Even after sliced into sheets not much thicker than paper, it insists on being worked with, not used as a tool or colour that does your bidding. Constantly having to be in agreement with an element that insists on telling its own story within my story is humbling and keeps me linked with my place in nature.

Figurative work is crucial in this day and age. Now more than ever before we must look at ourselves closely in the mirror. This is a moment in history that demands self-examination. So very much is hanging on the decisions we will make. Understanding and being connected to our past and our traditions is fundamental- the many years I spent learning to give a contemporary voice to this almost forgotten traditional art form is a small example of putting this in practice. The multi ethnicity of my subjects is to me a symbol of hope for the future."