UNIS student Alyssa Hu, together with her twin sister and former UNIS student Francesca Hu, recently launched NATL’s international Happy Planet initiative. NATL, a global art and lifestyle brand, focuses on blending nature, wellness, and creativity into community-driven projects. Its Happy Planet Initiative embodies the brand’s commitment to spreading joy and environmental stewardship worldwide. What originally began as an online project focused on kindness, art, and environmental care has quickly grown into a global movement. Not only does the initiative encourage spreading happiness through collaboration and respect, but it supports research labs, scholarships, artists’ projects, and environmental conservation.
Deeply passionate about art, the sisters use nature-inspired motifs, like quokkas, to express values like trust, empathy, inclusion, and peace. Each piece reflects the sisters’ own definitions of happiness. Alyssa’s quokka, the “Meditation Quokka,” represents calmness and the beauty of life. It comes with a magic bag which is meant to carry away hardships and negative energy, keeping the quokka peaceful. Similarly, Francesca’s piece, the “Happy Quokka,” holds a cup of milk tea – symbolizing how small pleasures, when approached with a positive attitude, can bring joy.
Their art has been exhibited at major international events, including Art Basel in both Miami and Hong Kong, making them the youngest artists ever selected for the program. Visitors were drawn to the Meditation Quokka’s serene presence, with many commenting on how the magical bag encouraged reflection and mindfulness. Their work often sells out on the first day and has earned praise from prominent figures like Brigitte Macron, the First Lady of France.
Beyond art, Alyssa and Francesca host happiness workshops focused on peace and nature. They also sponsor artists, fund scholarships and research labs, and distribute the ALUCA awards (Appreciation, Link, Unity, Communication, and Action). The ALUCA awards honors individuals who have contributed to the sisters’ journey by sharing life experiences and exemplifying trust, respect, and responsibility. Past ALUCA awardees include artists who have developed community projects, educators who have promoted environmental awareness, and researchers who have advanced sustainable technologies.
Through the Happy Planet Initiative, the Hu twins are not only creating art – they’re fostering a global movement that celebrates joy, community, and environmental stewardship. Their art, workshops, and awards cultivate a generation that values empathy, creativity, and care for the planet – demonstrating that happiness and environmental responsibility can truly go hand in hand.
