On View: 9 Crazy-Good New Art Exhibits to See in September
The O‘ahu art scene is popping off with a ton of great shows this month. Here’s where we’ll be heading.
Photo: Courtesy of Sheika Alghezawi, UH Mānoa
“Satoru Abe: 100 New Paintings”
Aug. 20 – Dec. 8 @ UH Mānoa
When Satoru Abe, one of Hawai‘i’s most prolific and influential modern artists, puts out a fresh catalogue of work described as lyrical and poetic, and which he says is “something I had never painted before,” you cancel your plans and make a beeline to see it. The now 98-year-old painter-sculptor from Mō‘ili‘ili offers up 100 new pieces that marry his mastery of gestural abstraction with the self-imposed criteria that each work be viewable and displayable four different ways: right side up, upside down and rotated 90 degrees in either direction.
The Art Gallery, 2535 McCarthy Mall, hawaii.edu/art, @uhmanoa_art
Images: Courtesy of Kailah Ogawa
“Drawn from Memory”
Sept. 6 – Sept. 14 @ Kaiao Space
You may not know it, but you’re likely already a fan of illustrator-designer Kailah Ogawa’s work. Her art has lent a cool factor to the campaigns and merch of top Hawai‘i restaurants, boutiques, bars and brands for years. Run, don’t walk, to catch “Drawn from Memory,” the Hilo artist’s exhibit, which considers “the memories we keep and those we change” with a collection of monotypes, as it’s only on view for a little over a week.
1018 Smith St., kaiaospace.com, @kaiao_space
Photos: Courtesy of Jax Stewart, Fishcake
“Sink or Surf”
Open now – Oct. 12 @ Fishcake
The four Hawai‘i artists featured in Fishcake boutique’s new “Sink or Surf” exhibit have such unique, intriguing relationships with the sea, they might as well have been assembled by Jacques Cousteau himself. Explore the deep blue through the water-logged lenses of voyager-sculptor Chris Miyashiro, surf photographer John Hook, legendary waterman Mark Cunningham and ceramicist Kaimana Barnes.
307C Kamani St., fishcake.us, @fishcake
Photo: Courtesy of Miyuki, Polu Gallery
“Beach, Sky, Universe”
Open now – Sept. 25 @ Polu Gallery Waikīkī
Gazing at the textural works of mixed-media artist Miyuki has been known to bring about a calm, ponderous state. That’s thanks to the soft, muted palette, graceful abstractions and minimal motifs she often employs. Enjoy all in “Beach, Sky, Universe,” which offers her peaceful depictions of the beauty of the islands.
Sheraton Waikīkī Hotel, 2255 Kalākaua Ave., Shop 12, polugallery.com, @polugallery
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“Hawai‘i Pride Portrait II” by Lorena Gheorghe, “Kumu Hina” by Marie Eriel Sagrado Hobro, Photo: Courtesy of Manini Gallery
“Here: Hawai‘i Pride Month Portrait Exhibition”
Sept. 6 – Oct. 27 @ The Manifest
In celebration of the diverse identities in Hawai‘i, downtown-Chinatown businesses Manini Gallery and The Manifest have teamed up to present “Here: Hawai‘i Pride Month Portrait Exhibition.” The juried group show features the works of 13 Hawai‘i-based artists, challenged to convey the concept of queer representation through 2D and 3D portraits of subjects in the māhū, LGBTQIA+ and nonbinary community.
32 N. Hotel St., manifesthawaii.com, @themanifest, manini.gallery, @maninigallery
SEE ALSO: Honolulu Pride: LGBTQIA+ Events in September 2024
Geode, c. 1970. Glazed hand-built stoneware. Honolulu Museum of Art. Museum Purchase (3696.1). Photo: Courtesy of the Estate of Charles E. Higa, Honolulu Museum of Art, Charles Higa (American, born Hawai‘i, 1933–2012).
“Home of the Tigers: McKinley High and Modern Art”
Sept. 28 – Jan. 12 @ Honolulu Museum of Art
While researching top artists from Hawai‘i, HoMA curators came across a curious through-line: McKinley High School’s art program. The art exhibition presents the works of seven former Tigers who became leading modernists in the Islands, along with pieces by three of the artists who were their teachers. Along the way, it considers the school’s impact on visual art in the Islands in the 20th century. For a deeper dive, check out our editor-in-chief Diane Seo’s piece: Home of the Tigers: McKinley High School’s Artist Legacy
900 S. Beretania St., honolulumuseum.org, @honolulumuseum
Artwork by Yvonne Cheng, Photo: Courtesy of Honolulu Printmakers
“The Legacy Collection of Hans Loffel”
Open now – Oct. 20 @ Honolulu Printmakers
Local nonprofit Honolulu Printmakers recently acquired the extensive personal art collection of celebrated Hawai‘i artist Hans Loffel. The assortment spans a broad range of techniques and mediums and includes original works by acclaimed Hawai‘i artists, including Hiroki Morinoue, Yvonne Cheng, Core Yee, Franco Salmoiraghi and Ken Bushnell, a selection of which will be on view. In addition, the art exhibit includes several of Loffel’s own mixed-media creations, which blend elements of print and paint.
1142 Bethel St., (210) 315-2244, honoluluprintmakers.org, @honoluluprintmakers
“Midnight Orchid” by Sheree Latif, “Leftovers” by Von Dickens Ulsa, Images: Courtesy of Hawai‘i Watercolor Society
“Hawai‘i Watercolor Society 2024 Open Exhibit” and “Pastel Artists of Hawai‘i 21st Annual Members Show”
Open now – Sept. 28, open now – Sept. 21 @ Downtown Art Center
This one’s a twofer—time it right and you can take in two exhibitions in one visit to the Downtown Art Center, which hosts both of the annual shows in September. In the main gallery, the “Hawai‘i Watercolor Society 2024 Open Exhibit” features 41 artists presenting 71 paintings created with water-soluble media, such as gouache, casein, acrylics, water-soluble crayons and ink. In the courtyard gallery, enjoy a selection dynamic of works by 12 members of the Pastel Artists of Hawai‘i group.
1041 Nu‘uanu Ave., 2nd Floor, (808) 773-7339, downtownarthi.org, @downtownartcenter
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