EXHIBITION
Mai Nā Kūpuna Mai, From the Ancestors
November 19 – February 11, 2024
The Art Gallery, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (UHM), Art Building
The Art Gallery at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is proud to present Mai Nā Kūpuna Mai, From the Ancestors, on view from November 19 through February 11. This exhibition speaks of intergenerational knowledge and the inspiration that is drawn from our kūpuna. It focuses on the work of two artists who are treasures of Hawaiʻi, and were innovators of the Hawaiian Renaissance of the 1980’s, Ivy Hāliʻimaile Andrade and Sean Kekamakupa'aikapono Kaonohiokalani Lee Loy Browne. Andrade and Browne both speak of the connectiveness and relationship that they draw from their ancestors in their art practices. Andrade draws from cultural practices in fibersarts to make her contemporary sculptures and installations. Browne explores traditional and contemporary approaches to form through bringing a Kanaka aesthetic to materials such as bronze, limestone, basalt and Styrofoam. Both have included several artists that they have mentored and developed a relationship with to exhibit with them: Puni Jackson, Charlton Kūpa‘a Hee, Kawika Lum-Nelmida, Marques Hanalei Marzan, Abigail Kahilikia Romanchak, Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum, and Maika’i Tubbs who are all significant artists in their own right. This exhibition celebrates the gifts that come from the ancestors and the continued innovations that each generation of artists brings to the community.
Artist List
Sean Browne, Ivy Hāliʻimaile Andrade, Puni Jackson, Charlton Kūpa‘a Hee, Kawika Lum-Nelmida, Marques Hanalei Marzan, Abigail Kahilikia Romanchak, Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum, and Maika’i Tubbs.
Organization
This exhibit was organized by Professor Debra Drexler, Acting Director of the Galleries and Museum. Thanks to the staff of the University Galleries and the John Young Museum of Art, Sheika Alghezawi, Assistant Director, David Kiyabu, Gallery Exhibition Coordinator, Mia Zheng, Curatorial Graduate Assistant, Hala Megahy, Installation Graduate Assistant, Hudson Bell and Celia Langford and the staff at the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. We would like to thank the Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity, SEED IDEAS Grant for their support of the exhibition, and the Admiral Residency in Contemporary Pacific Art for support of teaching residencies to accompany the exhibition.
Opening Reception
Date: November 19, 2023, Sunday, 2:00–4:00 PM
Location: Art Building
Public Programming
Location: Art Building, Room #101
Date: January 25, 2024, Thursday, 5:00–6:00 PM
Location: Art Building, Room #101
Sponsors
The Art Gallery is supported by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Department of Art + Art History and College of Arts, Languages & Letters; the Office of Student Equity, Excellence and Diversity, SEED IDEAS Grant for their support of the exhibition, and the Admiral Residency in Contemporary Pacific Art for support of teaching residencies to accompany the exhibition. The Halekulani Hotel– Hospitality Sponsor for the Arts at UH Mānoa, the Cooke Foundation, the Beverly Willis Foundation, and the Michael J. Marks Foundation.
THE ART GALLERY is located at 2535 McCarthy Mall, Rm 141, Honolulu, HI 96822.
Gallery hours and admission
Tuesday – Friday & Sunday 12 – 4 p.m.
Closed Saturdays, Mondays, spring break (March 17-22), and state holidays.
Free admission. Donations are appreciated.
Parking fees may apply during weekdays. Parking is free on Sundays
For more information please contact Sheika Alghezawi at 808.956.8364 and gallery@hawaii.edu
