Artists Alina Kawai and Kana Ogawa present a two-person exhibition: Merge at
Hawai‘i Loa Campus, Art Gallery July 7, Sunday to September 6, Friday.
Opening reception July, Sunday 4:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.
Explore unique perspective on cultural blends and collision of identity. In a
globalized, rapidly moving society, two young women share their connection to
multiple languages and lifestyles. As our information era continues to blur some
lines and build walls on others – reflect, accept, and evolve.
Art Gallery, Hawai‘i Loa Campus 45-045 Kamehameha Hwy.
Kāne'ohe, HI 96744
The Hawai‘i Pacific University Art Gallery is located on HPU’s windward Hawai‘i
Loa campus, 45-045 Kamehameha Highway, in Kāne‘ohe. Gallery hours are
Monday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Free Parking and admission,
open to the public. For more information call 544-9340.
Access to the Kailua/Kāne‘ohe bound lanes of Pali Highway are available Monday
through Friday between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. all other hours please use Likelike
Highway.
Merge Artist Statement:
Kawai and Ogawa probe the perception of modern culture through a grounded local
perspective of Honolulu and look further, with the anticipation that the paintings will
activate a personal connection with the viewers.
Much of Alina Kawai’s sensitivity and interest in color and form derives from her
Japanese and Euro-American heritages. One becomes aware and fascinated on how
each culture applies meanings and usage for colors and marks in relations to the visual
arts, literature, social, and anthropological histories. This has become a resource to
inquire on the similarities and differences from both cultures. Having lived in both
countries there are feelings of an uneasy intensity conjured from being in-between
places and ideas. The “in-betweeness” translates as part of the process of paintings,
allowing to re-organize and understand a person’s identity. For Kawai painting is
ultimately a way to relate to the human psyche and our existence within cultures.
Kana Ogawa's new series for Merge identifies the experience of vulnerability and
acceptance. Embracing her own waves of cultural changes, Ogawa offers a perspective
on cultural blends. Having been raised herself in Japan, the United States, and the
United Kingdom, and now living on O’ahu, she continues to experience a shape-shifting
lifestyle. Language, personal identity, and multiple perceptions are navigated and
overwritten. Ogawa's work speaks to progression by purposefully destroying and
rebuilding the surface to create new layers. Just like any divided person that must reject
certain parts of their character to fit in, her art shows that expectations and influence are
gifts of deep history that cultivate a unique existence.