Barela Gallery Will Feature Puakō Artist Christian Enns

Puakō artist Christian Enns’ new art work will be showcased at the Barela Gallery at the Shops at Mauna Lani on Saturday, Jan. 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Titled “ENNS Paints Dream-Scapes of Hawai’I,” the evening event showcases the art of the emerging artist. Event goers will have the opportunity to meet the Big Island resident and enjoy wine and pupus while browsing through the gallery.

A donation drawing for art will also take place during the evening, and a portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit the Waimea Ocean and Film Festival. Enns has provided the cover art for the festival for the past three years.

“With my new art, I want to connect the viewer with the landscape in a new way, by exaggerating colors and magnifying certain forms,” shares Enns. “This enables me to bring some of the electric energy of the Big Island to the canvas.”

Branded as “ENNS,” the artist’s original work is created on the Big Island using “only the finest materials and richest pigments.” The contemporary oil paintings and resin are created on panels that range in size from 9 x 12 inches and 48 x 74 inches.

“My new series is an attempt to connect with the beauty and magic of Hawai’i by exploring the relationship between patterns and simplified forms incorporated into a dream-scape style of landscape painting,” Enns said. “It is influenced by the Art Deco of the 1930’s, as well as drawing from past masters like Manookian and Savage.”

With study of art in over 20 countries under his belt, the world traveler and big wave surfer artist says that traveling is what inspires his vibrant, expressive style of painting, adding that they convey his experiences.

Enns earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Laguna College of Art and Design and enjoys spending his time surfing, fishing, and studying classical art.

“I am really excited to see what people think of my latest works,” Enns added.

For more information about the showcase, call (808) 885-5111