KAHELELANI: AN ENDURING HUMANITY

2019 painting, oil on canvas, with applied sterling silver leaf. Painting measures 18" by 24", with the painting's back stretcher featuring my thumbprint in oil. 

 

The second painting in my Ni'ihau shell lei series, this work focuses on Kahelelani , the Hawaiian name for the most popular shells used in creating leis.

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In the other paintings in the series, I wanted to depict the actions, skills and tools used when creating shell leis. Here, I wanted to focus on the artisan, the person who creates these amazing pieces of art, and their humanity. The title, "An Enduring Humanity", holds double meaning, in that the artform of shell lei has existed and persevered for hundreds and probably thousands of years to modern day. In the same way, the model for the painting has also endured and thrived throughout her lifetime not just as an artisan, but also as a mother, grandmother, wife and family pillar.  

 

My Kahelelani painting collection was created to highlight the unique artform of shell lei that exists solely in Hawaiian island of Ni'ihau. The immense technical skill, physical beauty and connection to Hawai'i's physical beauty are reminders of our state's incredible uniqueness. Learn more about the history of shell lei from the Ni'ihau Cultural Heritage Foundation.