Martin Charlot, the Artist Who Created Disney Aulani’s Iconic Lobby Mural, Has Passed Away
If you have ever visited Disney Aulani Resort, you undoubtedly remember the stunning 200-foot mural in the resort lobby.
The amazing piece of artwork is a beautiful celebration of Hawaiian history and culture, weaving together numerous scenes to tell a larger story.
While the mural has become iconic for Aulani visitors, many do not know that it was painted by artist Martin Charlot, who spent two years on the masterpiece.
The Story Behind the Mural
In an interview with Watermark Publishing, Martin reflected on the mural’s creation.
“There is always a little magic in the process of landing a mural job of any size. This was a large mural job, so it’s fitting that Disney, with all their association with magical wonder, brought it to me,” he explained.
Photo: Watermark Publishing
Interestingly, Martin’s family had deep ties to Disney.
“Working with the Disney team was very gratifying for me. My father, Jean Charlot, lectured to the Disney artists when he was a young man and made lifetime friends. I enjoyed meeting these artists when we would visit them in rare trips from Hawai‘i to Hollywood when I was a child. Hugging the tentacles of the octopus that battled with Capt. Nemo was the ultimate in cool to me,” he continued.
HAWAIIAN MEN ABOVE HOTEL CORRIDOR ENTRANCE, MAKAÔALA LOBBY. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney Destinations)
“Now, here was my chance to work with my generation’s Disney team. The Disney Imagineers hired me as an independent artist and, after the content of what they wanted in the mural was agreed upon, they left me alone to create.”
Martin Has Passed Away
Aulani fans got terrible news last night when Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde shared that Martin Charlot had passed away.
Photo: Hawaii Tribune-Herald
“The artist who painted the mural that surrounds the lobby, who also taught me to draw when I was a child of 6 in Hawaii, Martin Charlot, has passed away,” Rhode wrote on Instagram.
“His daughter Kawena is raising money through a go-fund-me to pay for his crushing medical expenses. It’s a lot as anyone who has nurtured someone through a long sickness knows. You may not know him as I have, but if you’ve stood beneath his masterpiece then you know his mind and imagination.”
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Through his artwork, Charlot has inspired generations, both at Aulani and beyond. His work and the joy it spreads will live on.
You can click here to contribute to Charlot’s GoFundMe.
