About

| Culturally rooted | Story-focused | Voice-centered |

“Matangi lelei to ki he la mahaehae” ~ “Favorable voyaging winds are never suited for tattered sails.” | Tongan maritime proverb.

My journey as an artist/creative, up to this point of my life, has been one full of doubt and trepidation. Trepidation, because a voice in me kept telling me I’m an imposter...that I’m just playing at this. Doubt, because the thought of leaning into this commitment can be overwhelming and utterly terrifying at times. What’s different today? Honestly, not too much. Although, after going through some of the most significant life changes recently, the only discernible difference is that I’m older…maybe a little wiser…and not quite as bothered by that little voice that say’s “you can’t” anymore. Also, I’ve been blessed/scolded by countless mentors, friends, and family to get this done, so…here I am…A bit more sure of myself than a few years ago, plenty excited at the opportunities ahead, and fully dedicated to seeing this through. 

I am committed to creative design solutions, community driven art-&-meaning-making, and a collaborative design process built on dynamic back-and-forth dialogue and old-school hustle. I hope you get a good sense of what I do and what I’m about here cos’ I certainly look forward to supporting your art & design needs. You can learn more my about life story when we talk and link up as I am ecstatic to learn about yours. Got a question? Drop me a line. I’m looking forward to getting to know you.

ABOUT TOKA VALU

Toka Valu is an indigenous Pacific Islander artist and illustrator with over fifteen years of illustration work, visual arts expertise, workshop facilitation, and community organizing experience. Toka’s artistic and design influences are deeply rooted and informed by his cultural upbringing as a Tongan, now expatriate, living with his partner and child in Seattle, WA.

For over ten years, he was a key part of developing and implementing several campus wide initiatives as a staff member with the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity at the University of Washington, Seattle (UW). These included the creation of the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center’s interactive tour format, development and advising of the UW’s Oceanic Pacific Islander Studies minor, and several interdepartmental collaborative endeavors that have now become part of the University’s slate of annual events.

Today, he is eternally grateful, motivated, and galvanized by the countless individuals, mentors, and communities who have supported his growth in higher education, in his community work, and especially in his art. This has profoundly impacted Toka’s capacity as a visual storyteller and has helped situate him in a unique position to provide astute perspectives on today’s geopolitical and social climate though his art & design skill.