Contemporary art is an evolving responsive visual essay of today, engaging the intuition and discerning perception of the artist and the viewer. Diverse and pluralistic, art reflects on society and the issues relevant to us and the world we live
Contemporary art is an evolving responsive visual essay of today, engaging the intuition and discerning perception of the artist and the viewer. Diverse and pluralistic, art reflects on society and the issues relevant to us and the world we live in, a cultural dialogue of personal identity, community and nationality.
This year’s annual juried Hawaii Contemporary Arts Exhibit at the East Hawai’i Cultural Center in Hilo opens with an artists’ reception at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 1, First Friday, in the main gallery.
Juror Patricia Salmon, a Hilo resident and longtime member of the Hawaiian arts community, is a former gallerist and well-known specialist in early 20th century painting.
“It is my great pleasure and honor to be invited as a juror for the forthcoming Hawaii Contemporary Arts Exhibit,” Salmon said. “I always find inspiration in an artist’s new vision with the fresh images and different color combinations he or she chooses. Each year, the composition of these individual artworks seems to foster radical new designs that stimulate one’s imagination.”
Salmon has made this year’s exhibition, on display through Sept. 30, highly inclusive and the gallery full and diverse.
The culturally plural exhibition, an exploration of the theme “Isolation,” includes works by invited artists from Italy, the West Coast and the Midwest to counterpoint island artists. The imagery challenges traditional boundaries — some appropriate cultural myths to probe the ethical and social values we accept today — some challenge comfortable, familiar perceptions with surreal and abstract imagery.
Dr. Mary-Louise Totton, associate professor of art from Western Michigan University, explores the myths of islands in her acrylic paintings.
“Islands have enchanted authors, artists and adventurers for centuries,” Totton said. “I explore the motif and myths of islands in my work to express ideas about identity, transformation and social commentary.”
The breadth of works entered reflect contemporary topics in a pluralistic voice. The exhibition’s theme “Isolation” illustrates how that which separates us is bound to that which brings us together.
For more information about the exhibition, email kdaley@ehcc.org.
