Wailoa Center’s Main Gallery will host the internationally acclaimed artist duo Jane and Linus Chao and Friends for the month of February, showcasing their watercolor paintings on silk and various other painting techniques.
There will be a reception for the artists from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 2 where the public can meet the artists and enjoy some light refreshments. The exhibit concludes Feb. 22.
Jane and Linus Chao emigrated from Taiwan to Hawaii in 1969 with their four children.
In 1976, Jane Chao had her first art show in Hawaii at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy Gallery in Waimea where her paintings were well-received by the Hilo audiences. For the past 39 years, she has taught art at her home studio on the Big Island.
The Chaos along their artist friends, have had many art shows in Honolulu Hale, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Niigata and Sado Island, Japan, Taipei, Taiwan, and of course every other year at Wailoa Center.
Jane Chao’s art was heavily influenced by Chinese artists, especially the Gungbei style brush painting. Her art style is a combination of Japanese art, Chinese brush painting and western watercolor. She uses silk or watercolor paper for her paintings.
Linus Chao was born in Qingdao, China, and moved to Taiwan because of the Chinese Civil War. He graduated from the Art Department at the Taiwan National Normal University, and was trained in cartoon animation at the Japanese Animation Studio called Toei. He later was trained at Walt Disney Studios and Hanna-Barbera Studios in Los Angeles and upon return to Taiwan, he produced educational and commercial cartoon animation films.
Linus Chao taught art at Hawaii Community College for 33 years and produced educational and commercial animated films. After retiring, he taught art at his art studio in Mountain View.
Wailoa Center, located in the Wailoa River State Recreation Area, is a Division of State Parks, Department of Land and Natural Resources. The center is free an open to the public from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 933-0416 or visit www.wailoacenter.com.
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The artists
Participating artists in the 2018 Wailoa Center Biennial Art Exhibit are:
Annette Sumada
Marge Kanemitsu
Karen Shuster
Carol Hocker
Rose Togashi
Anne Carlson
Jane Uyeno
Allan Takase
Myra Hiraki
Harvey Nakamura
Alan Grapard
T. Kiso
Judy Haraguchi
Janet Matsuo
Sybille von Fircks
Harry Char
Clytie Mead
Jane Chao
Linus Chao