Bernice Akamine to Speak at Kahilu Theatre

Bernice Akamine speaking about her suspended sculptural series, Hinalua‘iko‘a. Photo by Mark Ley.

Kalo installation by Bernice Akamine at Kahilu Theatre Galleries. Photo by Mark Ley.

Kalo installation by Bernice Akamine at Kahilu Theatre Galleries. Photo by Mark Ley.

Kalo installation by Bernice Akamine at Kahilu Theatre Galleries. Photo by Mark Ley.

Bernice Akamine speaking about her installation with to Lulani Arquette, CEO of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF). Photo by Mark Ley.

Kahilu Theatre in Kamuela is hosting an artist talk by nationally recognized artist Bernice Akamine on Aug.19, 2017, from 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Ms. Akamine will give a presentation describing the scope of her art practice and how her roots as a Hawaiian cultural practitioner informs her work. The talk is being held in conjunction with her solo exhibition. Coffee and light pastries will be served.

“Bernice Akamine is a treasure for our state, both as a contemporary artist and as a cultural practitioner, and we are delighted to bring her work to Waimea,” said Deb Goodwin, executive director of the Kahilu Theatre. “Her installations, Hinalua‘iko‘a and Kalo, exemplify deeply engaged and profoundly moving art. This is the type of creativity we aim to showcase at Kahilu, both on-stage and in our galleries. At the opening reception on Aug. 3, Bernice spoke passionately about what inspires and influences her, giving the art richer meaning for those in attendance. Kahilu Theatre is honored to offer an additional opportunity to hear Bernice speak.”

Bernice Akamine is a sculptor and installation artist based on Hawai‘i Island. She uses a variety of media to express her ideas and recurring themes include environmental and cultural issues. She is a recognized cultural practitioner with deep roots in kapa and waiho‘olu‘u (Hawaiian natural dyes).

Her solo exhibition in the Kahilu Theatre galleries presents two bodies of work. Kalo is a mixed media installation that consists of 83 taro plants made of stone and leaves. Hinalua‘iko‘a are suspended and free standing beaded sculptures that present an immersive environment inspired by traditional Hawaiian fish traps, sea creatures, talk radio and the Hawaiian creation chant, the Kumulipo.

Akamine has exhibited her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions, both nationally and internationally. Her selected awards include: a 2015 Native Hawaiian Artist Fellowship from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation; a 2012 Community Scholar Award from the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History and a 1999 Visiting Artist Award at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of the American Indian in New York City.

Kahilu Exhibits, the visual arts exhibition program of the theatre, presents solo and thematic group shows and features local and global works of art from both emerging and established visual artists.

The Akamine exhibition, organized by Sally Lundburg, is on display through Sept. The galleries are free and open to the public, Monday thru Friday, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and during all performances and events. For more information, visit the Kahilu Theatre website or call (808) 885-6868.

More information about Bernice Akamineʻs work can be found online or you can also contact her directly at bamakamine@gmail.com.