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Welcome, Docents!

ALL SCHOOL TOURS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED THROUGH MAY 31, 2020

While the Museum is closed, here's an activity:

Join the FDFD fun of sharing your at home artwork recreation. Rules: 1) create a work of art inspired by the HoMA collection or an exhibition and feel free to draw, bake, dress up, sculpt, etc; 2) tell why you chose it; and 3) share a little about the art/artist. They will be posted here! The view is better with full screen.

From Kristin

Queen Semiramis with Attendants, Tapestry, Flemish, Tournai, c. 1480 Wool, silk; tapestry weave, Gift of the Charles M. and Anna C. Cooke Trust, 1946

I used the Semiramis tapestry as my model. I still find that tapestry fascinating from its beginnings in Tournai to now. I utilized the mille-fleur notion with lots of hibiscus, an overlay of tissue paper and some small hula figures that represent the founders of hula. The female hula dancers communicate a more positive message for women than on the Semiramis tapestry. Hi`iaka, Laka and Hopoe indicate women's power to communicate a story through dance. While the tapestry also evokes a message it's more negative regarding women's roles. In folklore and medieval studies, the female figures on the tapestry suggest that women's power is suspect because of their sexuality (comb) and the mirror (vanity). Plus, one female holds a spear and carries a note! Radical. I chose a positive illustration in a negative time.

From Mae and grandson Tyler

Robert Colescott, American 1925-2009 Shirley Temple Black (Aloha Shirley) 1980 Acrylic on canvas, Gift of Dawn and Duncan MacNaughton 2007

But it's a musubi!

From Carole

Henri Matisse (French, 1869–1954) Annelies, White Tulips, and Anemones, 1944 Oil on canvas Gift of the Friends of the Academy, 1946

Henri Matisse has fabricated a private world of calm while including his decorative patterns. The luxurious and safe haven Matisse imagines in this work bears no hint of the turmoil in his personal life at the time: in the spring of 1944, his wife and daughter, who had been working for the French Resistance, were taken prisoner by the Nazis.

While our times are also in turmoil for very different reasons, this image may inspire calm or at least playful cheer in the midst of social distancing and economic uncertainty.

From Nancy Y

Pierre Mignard (French, 1612–1695) The Children of the Duc de Bouillon, 1647, Oil on canvas. Purchase, Robert Allerton Fund, 1975

The biggest part of the challenge is that the little boy whom I intended to use as the little one freaked out and ran crying when he realized I was taking a picture. So we have two girls and one boy. The dog got ahold of one piece of treat before I could snap the picture. Then she wasn’t all that interested in the rest. Please notice the moon in the leaves of the tree. Also the only feather we could find was from a peacock.

From Jeri

Robert Delaunay (French, 1885–1941) The Rainbow, 1913 Oil on canvas, Purchase, 1966

I picked this because I miss the kids oohing and aahing when we walk into the gallery. The rainbow promises hope (a good thought at this time). Instead of the hidden symbol of Paris, I substituted a symbol of Hawaii—the palm tree, which does not break, but bends in the wind. Another thought for these times.

From Lena

For fun I just put together this piece of driftwood, that I found on my beach walk, by drilling in a brass rod, holding it up. Too fun!! Somehow I connected it with Georgia O'Keeffe and her skull series.

From Carole

From Jan

Emile-Antoine Bourdelle, French, 1861-1929, La Grande Penelope 1912 (cast 1956), Bronze, 96 in., Given in memory of Mrs. Richard A Cooke by her children,1965 (Bourdelle, heir to Rodin and a teacher of Matisse, combined the art of antiquity and his wife as his model (sculptress Cleopatre Sevastos) to create this monumental Penelope. Learn more here

Penelope has strength, grace and beauty. Her meditative stance calms me every time I pass by her. I love that she has such a place of honor at HoMA! My Penelope was inspired by my vase and Manoa greenery.

Enjoy images from 2019

Holiday Luncheon-Mahalo, Cecilia!

FDFD: Ancient Cultures of the Americas with Sue

Visit to HoMA by Iolani Palace docents for curatorial presentation by Healoha Johnston of Ho`oulu Hawaii: The King Kalakaua Era

Aloha Spalding House tour (Susan had to take a call from Nancy Pelosi)

Mami keeping it fun!