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“ACCESSION: recent additions to the Art in Public Places Collection” exhibit opens February 10, 2023 at the State Art Museum

January 31, 2023
View of museum gallery entrance, with a light purple wall holding six small sculptures. A framed kapa in shades of brown and green is visible on the left, on a separate wall, and part of a large blue, white, and black drawing is visible on the right side on a back wall.

About the exhibit

For more than fifty years, the Art in Public Places Collection of the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has been recognized as one of the most significant collections of contemporary art of Hawaiʻi. This exhibit invites you to engage with a selection of 51 recent acquisitions to the collection from across the islands by 38 artists. The artworks, acquired from juried and curated exhibitions across the state, offer an insight into current trends and themes in the local arts scene and provides an opportunity to see the diversity of works being created in Hawaiʻi today. 

In 1967, the Hawai‘i State Legislature passed the Art in State Buildings Law. Signed by Governor John A. Burns, the law established the SFCA’s Art in Public Places Program (APP). Hawai‘i became the first state to set aside one percent of the construction and renovation costs of state buildings to acquire and commission works of visual art that beautify and humanize the built environment. The program distributes works of art in publicly accessible state buildings to expand aesthetic and educational opportunities as part of daily life.

The museum will be open until 9:00 p.m. on February 10 with “The Vibe” live music event. “Accession” will be on view through 2023. 

Artists

Amber Aguirre, Bernice Akamine, Margaret Barnaby, Derek Bencomo, Don Bernshouse, Jake Boggs, Tobias Brill, Allyn Bromley, Sean K. L. Browne, Gaye Chan, Melissa Chimera, Ghislaine D. Chock, Jonathan Yukio Clark, Debra Drexler, John Fackrell, Lynn Martin Graton, J. D. Griggs, Daven Hee and Joy Sanchez, Darius Homayounpour, Roen Hufford, May Izumi, John Krenik, Tom Lieber, Constance Liu, Licia McDonald, Emily McIlroy, Sarah Metz, Susan Mori, Richard Nelson, Carl Franklin Kaʻailaʻau Pao, Maya Lea Portner, Darold Ramelb, Don Shamblin, Esther Shimazu, Juvana Soliven, Dalani Tanahy, and Maile Yawata.

Artworks

The artworks below are just a few of the artworks that will be on display. For a full view of each image, please click on the image.

Abstract painting in turquoise, yellow, orange, gray and black
“Kiʻi Kupuna: ʻo ʻAilaʻau – Maka” by Carl F.K. Pao, acrylic and shellac on canvas painting, 2021. Acquired from the “Midsummer Art Celebration 4th Annual Statewide Juried Exhibit 2021” exhibit at Wailoa Center in Hilo for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Abstract painting with a dark background illuminated by a light column down the center showing various shadows and shapes in shades of blue, orange, white, pink.
“The Lilies How They Grow (II)” by Emily McIlroy, oil and pastel on paper. Acquired from the “The Lilies How They Grow: Emily McIlroy” exhibit, Honolulu Museum of Art at First Hawaiian Center in Honolulu, for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection. Photo credit: Emily McIlroy.
Bold abstract painting in shades of pink, purple, orange, blue.
“Gold Stream” by Debra Drexler, acrylic on canvas painting, 2019. Acquired from the “AbstractionX3” exhibit at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Abstract painting with scribbled, jagged shapes and lines in shades of black, blue, gray, white.
“Contact” oil on canvas painting by Tom Lieber, 2020. Acquired from the “AbstractionX3” exhibit at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Green paper cut into leafy abstract shapes and dancing human figure shapes
“Dance Forest” by Maya Lea Portner, paper, acrylic paint, thread, pins. Acquired from the “Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition 2021” exhibit in Honolulu. SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Ceramic sculpture figure with mushroom and daikon radish motifs on surface.
Ceramic sculpture by Maile Yawata, 1 of 6. Acquired from the “Flashpoint – the fire show” exhibit at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Ceramic figure with a humanoid head and rounded body with no limbs.
Ceramic sculpture by Maile Yawata (2 of 6). Acquired from the “Flashpoint – the fire show” exhibit at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Ceramic figure with a humanoid head and rounded body with no limbs.
Ceramic sculpture by Maile Yawata (3 of 6). Acquired from the “Flashpoint – the fire show” exhibit at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Ceramic figure with a humanoid head and rounded body with painted limbs holding a white daikon radish.
Ceramic sculpture by Maile Yawata (4 of 6). Acquired from the “Flashpoint – the fire show” exhibit at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Ceramic figure with a humanoid head and rounded body with no limbs.
Ceramic sculpture by Maile Yawata (5 of 6). Acquired from the “Flashpoint – the fire show” exhibit at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Ceramic figure with a humanoid head and bamboo stalk shaped with no limbs. A bamboo shoot emerges from the left side of the head.
Ceramic sculpture by Maile Yawata (6 of 6). Acquired from the “Flashpoint – the fire show” exhibit at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu for the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection.
Eleven of the fifty-one artworks that will be on display in the “ACCESSION: new additions to the Art in Public Places Collection” exhibit at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, opening February 10, 2023.
Artworks left to right, Darius Homanyoupour, “Indigo Rag Painting No. 5”; Debra Drexler, “Gold Stream” (partial view); Maya Lea Portner, “Dance Forest” (partial view); and Ghislaine D. Chock, “The Forgotten Coverlet of 1862″. All artworks Art in Public Places Collection of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Photo credit: State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Transportation and Parking

Public Transportation

  • TheBus – many bus routes stop directly in front of or very close to the museum. For routes and schedules, call TheBus at (808) 848-5555 or check online at www.thebus.org.
  • The Waikiki Trolley – the Red Line State Capitol/Iolani Palace Stop is a short walk from HiSAM. For more information, call the Waikiki Trolley at (808) 591-2561, or check online at www.waikikitrolley.com.
  • Biki Bikeshare – the closest Biki racks are directly in front of the building on South Hotel St. (120 Chinatown/DT – Hotel & Richards), and at the corner of Richards and South Beretania St (121 Chinatown/DT – Beretania & Richards).
  • Bicycle Racks – nearby Honolulu City & County bike racks are on South Hotel St. near Alakea St., on Richards St. near South Hotel St., and on the lawn between the Hawai‘i State Capitol building and Iolani Palace.

Parking

There is no parking on site. Parking is available at nearby lots, including across Hotel street in the Ali‘i Place building (enter at 1099 Alakea Street, cash only), across Richards Street at Iolani Palace, the Kalanimoku Building, Kinaʻu Hale/Department of Health, State Capitol basement, Honolulu City Municipal Parking, and metered street parking in the area.

Accessible parking

Free accessible parking stalls are available in these locations for persons with disabilities:

  • Iolani Palace grounds (one stall near the Richards Street exit, one stall near the State Archives building, and one stall near the gate leading to the State Capitol)
  • Ali‘i Place building parking structure (vehicle entrance at 1099 Alakea Street, pedestrian entrance/exit on South Hotel Street directly across from the Hawai‘i State Art Museum). Cash only.
  • State parking lots allow metered spaces in those lots to be used as accessible parking, with a 2 hour limit. Nearby state parking lots include the State Capitol (415 South Beretania Street and Punchbowl Street), and the Kalanimoku Building (corner of Beretania Street and 1151 Punchbowl Street). For a full list of state government parking lots and a map, please visit the Automotive Management Division webpage. In order to use the spaces, vehicles must display the appropriate placard issued to individuals.

This post was updated on February 10, 2023 with photos of the gallery entrance and a view of part of the gallery.

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