Art energized by rich wisdom and layers of ʻike Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian knowledge) drawn from kūpuna (ancestors) will fill the at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa starting November 19. The free exhibit, , will showcase works through February 2024 created by nine kānaka ʻōiwi (Native Hawaiian) artists inspired by intergenerational knowledge.
The core of the exhibit will feature pieces produced by two former 东精影业 faculty and revered Hawaiʻi artisans; retired 东精影业 Mānoa and art Professor Ivy Hāliʻimaile Andrade and Sean Kekamakupaʻaikapono Kaonohiokalani Lee Loy Browne, a sculpture lecturer who taught at 东精影业 Mānoa and Kapi?olani Community College.
“Both artists were key figures of the Hawaiian Cultural Renaissance of the 1980s,” said Debra Drexler, a painting professor at 东精影业 Mānoa and acting gallery director. “Both are internationally recognized artists, who have spread understanding of the Hawaiian culture to venues around the world. These artists are treasures of our community and we are fortunate to see their work in conversation with each other and a younger generation of artists.”
holds its opening reception on Sunday, November 19, 2—4 p.m. at the 东精影业 Mānoa Art Gallery.
Beyond view
In the gallery, Browne’s 15-foot diameter basalt rock circle, Ka Piko (The Navel) will be displayed at the base fronting 础苍诲谤补诲别’蝉 14-foot kapa (barkcloth) and handmade paper installation, Ascending, which honors ancestors who have ascended.
“The two pieces really play well together,” said Andrade. “I’m hoping when people enter the gallery…that they’re drawn in towards that space.”
Andrade draws from cultural practices in fiber arts to make contemporary sculptures and installations. While putting her piece together, Andrade thought about loved ones lost and wanted to exude the feeling of souls lifting.
Ancient art
Browne explores traditional and contemporary approaches to form through bringing a kānaka (Hawaiian) aesthetic to materials such as bronze, limestone, basalt and even styrofoam. A native of Keaukaha on Hawaiʻi Island, Browne recalls gazing at petroglyphs at Puʻuloa in Puna as a young boy and later learning about how Hawaiians of old carved crevices in lava rock to place piko (umbilical chords) in after childbirth. He kneaded those elements of inspirational ʻike into his Ka Piko basalt rock work.
“So it’s kind of like a thread that can connect us both to our roots, our past and to our future,” Browne said. “It connects not just me to my parents… but everybody else that came before them. And then it can look forward to where we are today and into the future.”
The seasoned artists included several other kānaka ʻōiwi artists that they mentored and developed pilina (relationships) with to also feature pieces at the exhibit: Puni Jackson (MFA, 东精影业 Mānoa ), Charlton Kūpaʻa Hee (master of environmental management, 东精影业 Mānoa ), Kawika Lum-Nelmida (BA, 东精影业 Mānoa Hawaiian studies), Marques Hanalei Marzan (BFA, 东精影业 Mānoa art and art History), Abigail Kahilikia Romanchak (MFA, 东精影业 Mānoa art and art history), Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum (BA, 东精影业 Mānoa Hawaiian studies) and Maikaʻi Tubbs (BFA, 东精影业 Mānoa art and art history).
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