“Brilliance of Now — Artwork as a reflection of a moment in time” will be on display at Kahilu Exhibits through March 4.
As part of the visual arts program, Kahilu Exhibits annually presents a juried exhibition of Hawaii State artists featuring a juror outside of Kahilu Theatre. The juror of this year’s exhibition is Mina Elison, Curator at the Donkey Mill Art Center.
The artwork spans diverse media, from digital art to oil paintings, from fiber and kapa to photography, bronze sculpture, and painted gourds. Over 50 works of art by more than 30 artists are represented.
“’Brilliance of Now’ invites visual media artists of Hawaii to explore life and existence in this moment. Rooted in our DNA and memories of the past, the mind oscillates between what has already occurred and thoughts of the future. With evolving realities and shifting perceptions, one is always in a state of flux and change. Validating the concept that ‘now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ is the understanding that we are not who we once were, and we are not who we will be in the future. As creative beings, how can we honor the space we are in right now? What has emerged from acknowledgment of places ‘traveled’ through emotions such as disbelief, wonder, joy and grief? What has been broken and where is there growth? What has been learned and what forgotten? In this time, how does one recognize and celebrate the brilliance of now?” explains Mina.
Mina selected the following as the award-winning works of the exhibition:
First place: “From Where Comes Joy” by Valerie Kim; second place: “Leiomano” by Kainoa Makua; third place: “Honu’apo Pier” by Margo Ray; and honorable mention awards to “Timbuktu” by Lynn Capell, “Pua” by Roen Hufford, “Anthropocene: Careless Pursuits, Oceanic Impacts Pursuits, Oceanic Impacts” by Elizabeth Miller.
The “Brilliance of Now” exhibition is in the Simperman and Hamakua Galleries of the Kahilu Theatre. The exhibition runs from through March 14. The galleries are free and open to the public from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
In adherence to current County of Hawaii COVID safety regulations, only 10 persons will be permitted into the galleries at any one time. Social distancing, mask-wearing, and sanitization protocols are in place. Proof of vaccination or proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of entering the theatre is required.
‘Brilliance of Now’ exhibiting artists are:
Amber Aguirre
Jill Backus
Kathleen Baumgardner
Andy Behrle
Richard Bodien
Howard Bradley
Luluka Brown-Spielman
Lynn Capell
Bailey Ferguson
Lynn Martin Graton
Howard Kendyll
Roen Hufford
Kristen Jordan
Valerie Kim
Cris Lindborg
Kainoa Makua
Nelson Makua
Parker Mason
Beth McCormick
Elizabeth Miller
Susan Mori
Patrick O’Kiersey
Rachel Orr
Patti Pease Johnson
Margo Ray
Jack Reilly
Diane Alice Repp
Alexis Wilson Russell
Georgia Sartoris
Barbara Schaeffer