Hawaii Craftsmen announces its biennial juried art exhibition, “Fiber Hawaii 2022: In of or About Fiber” that will run from June 8 – July 1, 2022 at the Downtown Art Center, 1041 Nuuanu Ave, Honolulu, Hawaii. Art works in any medium “in, of or about Fiber” will be accepted in person from 10 AM- 12 Noon on the entry day Saturday, June 4 at the Downtown Art Center, Second Floor Exhibition Hall.

At the Beginning

In 1982, two talented and enthusiastic young artists at the University of Hawai‘i Mānoa (UHM), Elizabeth Train and Shore (Brenner) Lipsher, envisioned an exhibition that would recognize the strength and diversity of Hawai‘i artists working in the contemporary field of fiber art as well as encourage artists working in other disciplines to reinterpret their work with a fiber reference or sensibility. The UHM Art Department was alive with potential. The possibilities were extensive; experimentation was encouraged and exciting.

With Liz’s position as Hawai‘i Craftsmen President and Shore’s position as a UHM Associate Professor of Weaving, they were in a position to make this happen. Proactive, in addition to advertising this new juried exhibition, they made the challenge personal by sending letters to Hawai‘i artists working in non-fiber art disciplines to attract a wide variety of artwork.

A unique aspect of Fiber Hawai‘i is Liz and Shore’s vision that the exhibition should include work that not only utilizes fiber materials and/or techniques but also work that refers to the intangible idea of fiber and/or textiles in a more general or conceptual sense.

Like makers in other craft-based traditions, post-WWII weavers began using their materials in non-functional, non-objective ways and incorporating abstract concepts and forms. The term Fiber Art was first used in the 1950s to recognize this experimental work, and in the 1960s and 70s fiber art began to establish itself in the international art world with large-scale fiber-based sculpture and wall pieces appearing in galleries and exhibitions.“Beyond Craft: The Art of Fabric”, published in 1972, was instrumental in publicizing this experimentation and inspiring artists and weavers.

Liz and Shore saw Fiber Hawai‘i as a Hawai‘i-based natural response to these dramatic new approaches to working with traditional materials that were establishing fiber art as a distinct category of art. They wanted to be part of the process and gathered together a group of volunteers to make it happen.

As Fiber Hawai‘i evolves, fiber as media and technique as well as fiber as idea will continue to be at the center of this exhibition. Traditional materials, techniques, and themes will continue to be the basis and heritage of fiber art. Reinterpretation, plus new techniques and materials, and a changing social paradigm will provide vibrant and relevant possibilities for this engaging form of art- making.

Fiber Hawai‘i encourages participation from artists in all media who wish to explore fiber related work, including traditional and non-traditional media such as glass, clay, wood, film, metal, paper, basketry, stitchery, fashion, surface design, wearable art, video, photography, 2d, 3-d , and computer based presentations.

REROSPECTIVE ARTISTS

Retrospective artists represent those who have participated in and organized Fiber Hawai‘i over the past 40 years. Shore, Jenny and Ethel have passed away, but their artwork lives on. Junko Sato Pollack juried twice, 1999 and 2020. Former UHM Fiber Program Chair Pat Hickman juried in 2006 and sponsors an award in memory of Jenny Matsuda.

A look back at works from the late 1970’s to early 2000’s may serve as inspiration for current fiber artists and a nostalgic memory for those of us who remember the way we were.


Ann Asakura
Long Time Ago, 1980
Dyed batk, ‘Ohe kapala
printed


Ethel & Edward Aotani
Untitled, c.2009
Painted paper, cotton
thread


Reiko Brandon
Temple Guardian, c. 1982
Copper wire, cotton, straw, twigs, paper

Patricia Greene
Monk with Begging Bowl
Embroidery


Linda Hee
Lanai Sunrise/Sunset 1: Watching the Sunset Behind John’s House, 1985
Hand dyed yarn, tapestry


Pat Hickman
Fold, 2001
Palm sheath, gut (skin membrane), colored ink, Prismacolor art stick


Shore (Brenner) Lipsher
U.S. 41, c. 1983
Woven linen, paint



Shore (Brenner) Lipsher
I-5 Oceanside, c. 1983 
Woven Linen, paint

Jennifer Matsuda
Puzzle, 1996
Overspun wool weaving


Marcia Morse
Widow Queen’s Mourning Robe, 1979
Handmade papers, vellum, ikat-dyed thread, wood


Junko Sato Pollack
Sky Cloud Color from the Sky Cloud Series, 2002-6
Heat compression, dye sublimation, stitching on polyester organza


Gail Toma
Volcano III, 1991
Basketry

Liz Train
Red Hot Mama, 1978
Wool and silk woven on a welded steel framework


Diana Tusher
Burghers’ Daughters, 1982
Recycled Roofing, Ink Coated Cheesecloth

Carol Yotsuda
Ototachibana in Recluse, c.1975
Batik


“Fiber Hawaii” began as a biennial event in 1982. The Fiber Hawaii exhibit has a 40 year history of challenging artists of all media to create works “In, Of or About Fiber". Artists of any craft media are invited to consider making artwork with a fiber sensibility. Fiber and textile techniques may be thought of as an idea as well as a media. Past exhibits have included woven glass or clay, wood and metal as well as works in more traditional fiber media such as weavings, handmade paper, basketry, stitchery, quilts, batik, textile design, kapa. Mixed media, wearable art and installation pieces are also eligible for entry.

Entries are open to statewide participants but neighbor islanders must submit photos for digital jurying or mail their work to O‘ahu for in person jurying.

Prospectus & Entry Information

CONDITIONS AND DISPLAY REGULATIONS

The installation committee will install all accepted artworks. Entries that pose an unusual installation challenge may be rejected or require the artist’s assistance. Artists with extremely delicate or unwieldy entries should make separate arrangements for delivery, handling, and pick-up of their artwork. 

We love challenges, but if your entry exceeds 6’ on any side, weighs more than 150 lbs. or requires more than 2 people to handle please check in with your exhibition chair before you enter your work. 

Extreme care will be taken in handling all artwork; however, Hawai‘i Craftsmen and Downtown Art Center assume no responsibility for loss or damage to artworks on display or in transit beyond a $50 liability limit no matter how such damage may have been sustained. All accepted entries will be displayed at the owner’s risk.

Accepted entries must remain in the exhibition for the show’s duration and are subject to photographic reproduction for educational and publicity purposes. Artists are encouraged to offer their entries for sale. Hawai‘i Craftsmen will retain a sales commission of 40% for members or 50% for non members.

Oʻahu artists are required to sit one shift per accepted piece during the show, find a substitute, or pay a $30/shift sitter’s fee. Artists failing to show up for their designated shift must pay a $50 no show fee. 

Entrants must agree to all terms stated in the prospectus and online registration to participate.

 

ELIGIBILITY AND FEES


All artists are invited to submit entries to “IN, OF or ABOUT Fiber”, including wearables. Any craft media will be accepted for jurying. Work previously exhibited in a juried show on Oahu or at DAC is ineligible. Entries must be of original design and created within the last two years. Fees are as follows:

Hawaii Craftsmen Members: $25 for 1 entry

Nonmembers: $75 for 1 entry

Additional entries: $10 per additional entry

Participants may join Hawai‘i Craftsmen at entry time to take advantage of the member’s entry fee. HC is supported in part by membership dues. Membership dues: Seniors $30; Students (w/ valid ID) $25; Individual $50; Family (up to 2 parents, and children living with the same address $75.

We will notify accepted artists by email

Awards will be given.


REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

PAYMENT MAY BE MADE ONLINE OR BY MAIL.

FOR QUESTIONS OR ASSISTANCE WITH REGISTRATION PLEASE EMAIL US AT INFO@HAWAIICRAFTSMEN.ORG 
OR CALL US AT 808 521 3282.


SHIPPING PROCEDURES

Neighbor island artists have the option of having their work juried by photograph or mailing the work for jurying in person.  Artists who wish to submit photos for jurying may submit 2 -3 photos of the work by May 23. Accepted entries can then be mailed to the Downtown Art Center to arrive by June 3rd. Artists who prefer to have their work juried in person can mail their work to the DAC to arrive on or before June 3rd.  All work must be mailed in sturdy reusable containers with packing instructions. 

Hawai‘i Craftsmen will be responsible for the cost of return shipping, including standard insurance damage protection up to $50 liability per piece. Artists are encouraged to request supplemental insurance by indicating that on their return documents, and will be invoiced by Hawai‘i Craftsmen for the actual cost of the insurance. Return shipping carriers, including USPS, UPS, FedEx, or Young Brothers, will be chosen at the discretion of Hawai‘i Craftsmen.

Work must be received on or before June 3, 2022 in order to be considered for jurying. 

Shipping address:

DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
SECOND FLOOR
1041 NUUANU AVENUE
HONOLULU, HI 96817

You must include a completely filled out return label or we cannot ship your work back to you. You must include weight and dimensions with the return label. All submissions must be packed and sent in a sturdy reusable container / packing materials and include clearly written packing instructions.

ACCEPTED ARTIST RESUMES

A book of artist resumes or statements will be available for gallery visitors. All accepted artists should provide a one page document with artist information, letter-sized standard format only. Hard copy is preferable, or email it as a PDF file to info@hawaiicraftsmen.org  Subject line FIBER HAWAII Artist Statement. Please submit your artist statement by June 6.

 

For general inquiries or more information, please contact exhibition chair.

Liz Train, lizabethtrain@hotmail.com

Exhibit

INTAKE OF REGISTERED WORK

JUNE 4, 10 AM – 12 NOON

DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
SECOND FLOOR
1041 NUUANU AVE.
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96817

ENTRIES NOT ACCEPTED MUST BE PICKED UP IN PERSON ON
JUNE 4, 5-6 PM OR JUNE 5, 10 AM-12 NOON

RETURN OF ACCEPTED WORK AT THE END IF THE SHOW WILL BE ON
JULY 2ND
 10 AM - 12 NOON

DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
SECOND FLOOR
1041 NUUANU AVE.
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96817

OPENING RECEPTION
JURORS WALK THROUGH
& AWARDS CEREMONY

JUNE 10, 5:30 - 8PM

FIRST FRIDAY CLOSING RECEPTION

JULY 1ST, 5:30 - 8PM

DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
SECOND FLOOR
1041 NUUANU AVE.
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96817

EXHIBITION DATES

JUNE 8 – JULY 1, 2022

DOWNTOWN ART CENTER
SECOND FLOOR
1041 NUUANU AVE.
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96817

Juror Amos Kotomori

The juror for Fiber Hawaii 2022 will be well known fashion designer and creative consultant, Amos Kotomori. He studied both ceramics and textile design at the University of Hawaii and has a master’s degree in Allied Arts and Education from the University of Oregon. He is most well-known for his career in fashion design. His awards include the Los Angeles Film Award for Best Costumes and Best Production Design 2015, Hawaii Federation of Advertising Pele Awards, Hawaii Governor’s Fashion Award for Stylist of the Year 2014, Rockefeller Fellowship Recipient, and 3 time Hawaii Fashion Designer of the Year. Most recently he has been crafting a line of women’s wear and jewelry for Saks Fifth Avenue featuring his signature silk scarves benefiting the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii, Hawaiian Humane Society, Kapiolani Women’s Center and RO Foundation.


Photo of Amos Kotomori by Linda Ching



HAWAII CRAFTSMEN IS SUPPORTED BY THE HAWAI’I STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS,  THE HAWAII COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THE ATHERTON FAMILY FOUNDATION, THE COOKE FOUNDATION, THE MCINERNY FOUNDATION, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, THE LAILA TWIGG-SMITH ART FUND, SEVERAL PRIVATE FAMILY FOUNDATIONS AND OUR MEMBERS

HAWAI‘I CRAFTSMEN 1110 NUUANU AVE, HONOLULU, HI 96817info@hawaiicraftsmen.org • 808-521-3282

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