INFORMATION

Tropic Editions is a Hawaii-based publishing imprint for artists’ books. Founded in 2018, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to support critically engaged artists here in Hawaii and across the tropical diaspora.

Our publishing program supports artist-driven projects that forge connections between otherwise disparate locales and identities, with a curatorial emphasis on experimentation, social critique, and collaboration. We want to draw Hawaiʻi into an existing global discourse on tropicality, post-colonialism, and creative production in the tropics.

Because we are a small, volunteer-run imprint, we prioritize direct sales via our website and our presence at art book fairs. Our distribution network includes a number of US and international stockists. To date, our imprint and publications have been represented in the following fairs: Printed Matter Virtual Art Book Fair, Brooklyn Art Book Fair, San Francisco Art Book Fair, New York Art Book Fair, Independent Art Book Fair (Brooklyn), LA Art Book Fair, Hawaii Zine Fest, Honolulu Print and Book Fair, Cebu Zine Fest (Philippines), FLAT Art Book Fair (Torino, Italy), Odds and Ends Art Book Fair (Yale University), Chicago Art Book Fair.

Tropic Editions is grateful to have received support from the following organizations: Pu‘uhonua Society, Atherton Family Foundation, and the Ruth Foundation for the Arts.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Marika Emi  President
Mele Hamasaki  Treasurer
Leimomi Lani  Secretary
Ayaka Takao
Josh Tengan  
(as of 2024-25 Fiscal Year)


Tropic Editions is founded by Marika Emi, an artist, arts organizer and designer born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. For the last two decades, her practice has included studio work, design and curatorial projects, community outreach and education, and producing events bridging the gap between culinary and visual arts. From 2015 to 2018, she was a member of artist collective PARADISE COVE. She served as a director of Aupuni Space from 2020 to 2023.