Profile of a Hawaiian Woman

Pegge Hopper is an American artist renowned for her iconic portrayals of Hawaiian women. Born in Oakland, California, she studied painting at ArtCenter College of Design and worked in both New York and Milan before moving to Honolulu in 1963. A formative encounter with archival photographs at the Hawaii State Archives redirected her toward the imagery that would define her career. Combining a designer’s sense of structure with a refined use of color and form, Hopper developed a distinctive visual language that became deeply associated with modern Hawaii. Many visitors arriving in Honolulu encounter her work at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, where her large-scale paintings are installed. Her work remains celebrated for its stillness, elegance, and enduring sense of place.