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Starting Tui Communications in 1988, I chose a logo design by Nicholas King of Tutuila, Am. Samoa, a seasoned & successful siapo craftsman & artist. (CLICK Am. Samoa above for a sampling of Nick's original & signed siapo artwork.) His logo was hands-down "The Look" I wanted for Tui Communications named after the indomitable Tui Manu'a and my dad, Nicholas Charles King.
Tui Manu'a, the "King of Manu'a," was a powerful & wise leader who refused to secede his Samoan island to the American flag in 1899. Once presented special military interviews & recognition for his historical & prestigious title in Samoa, he reluctantly deferred to the red-white-'n-blue.
My dad, rest in peace, modeled that same earnest, make-the-best-of-it attitude of the Tui Manu'a. He was the youngest of seven sons born of an American civilian and Samoan chief's daughter in Tutuila during the US Navy's early reign. Before the age of 30, he left Am. Samoa for Oahu with his Samoan-Filipina wife, Cecilia Lagarejos King, and five young sons in tow. Eleven years later, he moved to Southern California, returning to his own father's country with a changed family: a worried wife and ten conflicted offspring. Within a year, another baby was on the way and Hawai'i became the 50th state. Being Americans took us over like body snatchers.
Dad's spirit of always moving forward, "not letting the turkeys get you down," permeates Tui Communications.
Only later did I discover that the word "tui" translates to "king" across the Pacific. Then later, it came to light that New Zealand was home to the unique Tui bird, noted for a white tuft at its throat, accenting its weird warbling call. That white snowy patch against Tui's silky black-feathered body became a metaphor for how I perceived myself: a weird American voice with skin as dark as Caliban of Shakespeare's "The Tempest."
In the late 20th century of techno-speak, TUI turned out to be the hip acronym for Textual-User-Interface which works for my biz as well. In fact, ALL of the meanings for tui nails it how this word is supertextual, and supercommunicative, which is exactly how I wanted Tui Communications, aka, Tuicom, to be.
Thus, Tuicom's logo is drawn in siapo motif. Siapo literally means "canvas" in Samoan, but also refers to traditional tapa recognized across the Pacific as organically-decorated barkcloth. The coconut tree in "Tui" stands tall as a shading umbrella above "UI" in which "you & I" are manifest. Tui Communications' logo is meant to represent Islanders' awareness of the coconut tree's overarching purpose & as a contextual Pan-Pacific reminder.
More on Nick: siapo has been his medium since 1979 when at 13, he started training with the late siapo grandmistress Mary Pritchard. Recognizing his skill & artistry, Mary selected Nick to travel with the American Samoa Arts Council Choir as a siapo demonstrator. He toured with the group for five years.
Nick's siapo style is a mixture of influences from various artists whom he wants to mention: Adeline Huff, Rhonda Annesley, Sven Ortquist, Sau Ueligitone, and Marylyn Walker. He also credits his dad, my eldest brother, Nicky, RIP, for teaching him discipline & patience. He praises his Mom, Anna Brown King, RIP, for shaping the drive & passion that made him an artist.
Nick resides with his wife Mona in Poloa, Am. Samoa. Their five children are advancing in school & off to college in the States. Justin, the eldest, is a fire-fighter in the US Air Force, having served in Iraq. Nick awaits the time when all his children are off to college and he can return to his siapo calling. Nick has created siapo artwork for special occasions, gifts, signage, and public spaces.
Please contact margo@tuicom.com or phone 707.451.8788 for more information.
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