Pull, Poke, Fold

Wendy Kawabata’s interest in New Zealand was first sparked by artist Fatu Feu'u whom she met during her time as Chair of the Intersections Visiting Artist and Scholar Program, at the University of Hawaii. Feu’u spoke well of the New Zealand art community and from there Kawabata’s curiosity and interest in New Zealand culture and contemporary art, lead her to propose an exhibition at the Corban Estate Arts Centre.

In her artistic work Kawabata is drawn to materials that bring their own history with them. In Withdrawn from Circulation, Kawabata uses old books that have been taken out of circulation from Honolulu’s public libraries. She purchased each book for $1 and by repeated and exaggerated ‘dog-earing’ she changes the books function, transforming them from what we know and expect, into a formal and beautiful installation.

“The interior of a book is traditionally focused on the individual and private experience of reading. With these books, their interiors have become exposed and rearranged – the private experience is no longer accessible. Now they’re the barnacles that grow on library walls, all activity and inactivity at the same time.” (Wendy Kawabata)

Wendy Kawabata earned a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and an MFA from the University of New Mexico. She has exhibited in numerous exhibitions across the USA and is currently a Professor of Art & Art History at the University of Hawaii.

Alongside ‘Pull, Poke, Fold’ local artists Beth Serjeant and Alison Milne respond to themes in Kawabata’s work. In ‘Ports of Call’ well known print and book maker Beth Serjeant, explores the emigration of her ancestors from Europe to New Zealand. An installation of artifacts, found objects and domestic craft illustrates and embellishes the route they took to reach the antipodes.

Alison Milne, textile artist, has created a faux gravesite with handmade, vibrantly coloured, fabric flowers in ‘In Lieu of Flowers’. She is referencing the care and attention Polynesian families give to their gravesites, where masses of real and plastic flowers, windmills, photos and memorabilia cover the graves, celebrating love, life and memories of home.

All three exhibitions open at the Corban Estate Arts Centre Gallery on Thursday 15 July and run until the 29th of August.