HONOLULU (Island News) -- An East Oahu artist says creating beauty is his way of Aging Well. Taiji Terasaki is an artist and philanthropist who is passionate about conservation.
"I love it. It gets me up every day, for sure," smiles the 65-year-old former garment designer who transitioned to owning his own art studio. He collaborates with largely nonprofits on pieces for causes he believes in. "I found it incredibly inspiring. You know, nonprofits are wonderful. They have a mission. They sometimes don't know how to get their visual things out in the world."
On his own time, he does pieces for art shows, like this one in First Hawaiian Bank through April 12. "That's a part of Aging Well, having something that drives you to keep going, keep your mind going," encouraged Terasaki.
Terasaki's pieces can be very, very immersive. For instance, he created an origami dress which is made to be worn.
Terasaki also founded a nonprofit, MakeVisible, to create educational art exhibits. Lately, he says he's been thinking about the next chapter in his life. "We're fragile," he pronounced. "At my age, 65, I have to be aware I'm getting a little more fragile. What can I leave that I can feel like I contributed something with my life and made [the world] better?"
Friend and staffer Konrad Ng described Terasaki as "a man who approaches life with zest and vigor and likes to invite those who have an opportunity to work with him to join him in this adventure called life. He has a very youthful outlook."
Terasaki hopes his pieces prompt people to action. "We're creating these things I believe in. I do believe the power of art does change people," he said. He's hoping positive change is in the eye of the beholder.
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