If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the newest exhibit at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center's Schaefer International Gallery has lots to say. The gallery will host the statewide invitational exhibit titled "Hi'iakaikapoli-opele: Visual Stories by Contemporary Native Hawaiian Artists," opening Tuesday to Oct. 24.
Eleven accomplished and emerging artists of Hawaiian ancestry each created a new body of work, drawing inspiration from the epic tale Hi'iakaikapoliopele, Ka Mo'olelo O Hi'iakaikapoliopele, by Ho'oulumahiehie. The tale highlights Hi'iaka's role as a healer, source of inspiration and icon of the hula traditions embodied in the chants and dances of the goddess Pele and her younger sister, Hi'iakaikapoliopele.
Inside the exhibit you will see a broad range of technical skill in traditional media as well as technology. Inspired use of craft with challenging materials such as hog casings and stone, gives the viewer a multilayered experience with the incredible imagination it takes to create this type of work. The mystery and thought-provoking enchantment of Hi'iakaikapoliopele and her story becomes a visual feast of new cultural emotion mixed with contemporary Hawaiian thinking.
Article Photos
“Kilioeikapua” by Hoaka Delos Reyes
Participating artists include Hoaka Delos Reyes, Solomon Enos, Mark Chai, Puni Kukahiko, Pualani Lincoln, Marques Hanalei Marzan, Matthew Kawika Ortiz, Carl F.K. Pao, Abigail Romanchak, Maika'i Tubbs and Miki'oi Wichman.
****
Artists Opening Reception
Saturday, 5 to 7 p.m.
Reception begins with a special welcoming ceremony at the pa, with hula by Hokulani Holt and her halau. Artists will be introduced and honored, followed by a processional to the gallery. Pupu and beverages will be available.
****
Free Public Lecture
Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dr. Puakea Nogelmeier will talk about the story of Hi'iakaikapoliopele, as well as Hawaiian literacy and the repository of Hawaiian newspapers. Dr. Nogelmeier has taught Hawaiian language, literature and translation at the University of Hawaii for 25 years and is director/cofounder of Awaiaulu: Hawaiian Literature Project.
****
Oahu exhibition
May 7 to July 19, 2010
Exhibit travels to the Hawaii State Art Museum in Honolulu.
****
Longtime potter Sandy Vitarelli is the featured artist at the Maui Crafts Guild in Paia beginning Sept. 25 to Oct. 8. Meet the artist during an opening reception from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 25. Festivities will include refreshments and live music.
Wheel-thrown pieces from tableware to shoulder-high pots are created by this self-taught potter who first began her art on the equatorial island of Palau, where she taught for 10 years. Vitarelli has operated a pottery studio on Maui since 1977.
The gallery is located at 69 Hana Highway and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. For details, call 579-9697.
****
The board of Art Maui invites all artists who submitted artwork to Art Maui 2009 and all sponsors to the Annual Membership Meeting of Art Maui at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 22 in the Haynes Family Conference Room of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Items of business will include the election of new board members and election of officers.
****
Meet artist Steve Sundram and view his work Wednesday at Maui Hands Gallery, 84 Hana Highway in Paia. Sundram's work will adorn the gallery through September.
In 1990 Sundram visited Hawaii, leaving his home in Australia, and immediately fell in love with the tropical vistas of this island paradise. Sundram is an internationally renowned artist whose paintings are among the collections of celebrities such as Kim Basinger, Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Klugman and Carlos Santana.
