Meet Rava Ray.
Rava is a half-American and half-Tahitian artist currently living in Moorea, Tahiti, where she raises her two children on coconuts and sunshine. Rava has always been an artist, making beaded bracelets when she was little and creating dance costumes out of leaves and flowers when she became a Tahitian dancer.
“Nature inspires my work the most. I like to contemplate how shells grow, how plants communicate. I even build fantasy stories around those types of questions then portray them in my art.”
Rava says, "Art was how I filled my spare time. I love long-boarding and Tahitian dance. I also love to sing and play the guitar."
“For me, the perfect Environment to be creative is when I am alone and when I have no time limit. Having to put works in progress on pause over and over again is frustrating for me.”
"Though shells are my favorite, I primarily work with fabric to create Tahitian Tifaifai Blankets."
Featuring Rava’s hand sewn custom Tifaifai Wedding Dress
“My favorite piece is a necklace I made for my children out of cone shells. I spent many years collecting the shells on Tahiti and Mo’orea before being able to put a necklace together for them.”
"My favorite medium to work with are shells. I find them already mesmerizing. I just want to find a way to pay homage to them in my art. Plus, I love the experience of foraging for them."
"What does strait. state of mind mean to you?”
“It means to slow down and take care of our island the way it takes care of us.”