New Exhibition at Shangri La Museum Blends Hawaiian Perspectives With Islamic Art
The annual showcase opened for its fourth year on January 13, bringing modern Hawaiian art into the esteemed museum and establishing connections between seemingly disparate cultures.
One of the pieces of art featured in the exhibit is "E Hele I Ka Pō Mālie" by Lehuauakea, a Native Hawaiian interdisciplinary artist and kapa maker. The piece is hand-painted on kapa (barkcloth) entirely in gathered earth pigments from Maui and Oregon, honoring the artist's late daughter. Photo source: Shangri La
In a remarkable blend of cultures and artistic expression, the Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art in Honolulu recently opened its doors to the "8x8: Source" exhibition. The annual showcase opened for its fourth year on January 13, bringing modern Hawaiian art into the esteemed museum and establishing connections between seemingly disparate cultures. The exhibition features eight visual artists and eight performing artists who have been invited to create and display new works inspired by their encounters with the rich heritage of Shangri La.
Among the captivating pieces is a gold warrior mask and outfit crafted from dried palm leaves, standing gracefully against a backdrop of centuries-old tiles handmade in Iran. This unique juxtaposition highlights the intertwining of different cultures, showcasing the harmonious blend of new and old within the exhibition.
Navid Najafi, Shangri La's associate curator of programs and social practice, emphasizes the integration of contemporary artworks with the historic collection. Najafi told Hawaii News Now that the pieces of the exhibit are woven into the fabric of the museum’s historic collection, pointing out a specific piece by artist Noah Harders. “It looks like it belongs here and it’s been here the whole time,” Najafi said. “But this is a brand new piece that was created by this amazing Maui-based artist and his interpretation of the space.”
"Krieger Pāma" by Maui floral artist Noah Harders depicts a warrior’s garment made of shaped and manipulated fan palm leaves, inspired by the artist's connection to the culmination of his ethnicities. Photo source: Shangri La
The exhibition celebrates the diversity of Hawaii's artistic talent, featuring works by exceptional artists such as Harders, Paula Fuga, Nick Kurosawa, Kenny Liu and more. The creations delve into the representation of nature and the complexities of history, drawing parallels between Islamic art and the artistry of native Hawaiians.
Najafi went on to discuss the ongoing debate sparked by Shangri La's collection, particularly considering museum founder Doris Duke — who was not Muslim — and her deliberate acquisition of pieces with religious significance to Muslim people. “These are colonial legacies that we all inherit,” Najafi said. “And really, it’s up to us in terms of what we’re going to do with them now and how we tell these stories; to inspire each other, to inform each other and also to move forward … If we can address [the wrongs of the past], we could be honest about them. And we can carve or create a new future together.”
According to Najafi, the exhibition becomes a platform for dialogue, acknowledging colonial legacies and resonating with global movements to decolonize spaces like museums.
The artists in "8x8: Source" delve into the story of the Hawaiian Kingdom's overthrow and the sovereignty movement. By sharing these narratives, the exhibition aligns with a global movement toward decolonization, encouraging conversations about history, legacy and shared responsibilities.
Shangri La emerges not only as a haven for Islamic art but as a dynamic space fostering change and dialogue. The exhibition "8x8: Source" challenges visitors to engage in conversations about cultural exchange and colonial legacies, leaving potential for a more inclusive future of art.
Ryan Kamakakēhau Fernandez is just one of the live performers involved with the "8x8: Source" exhibit.
“This wave [of Arab and Muslim stories] is beginning,” said Ahmed Sharkawi, the director of Arab content for Netflix Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The U.S. audience is becoming open to watching stories that are outside of the U.S. experience.”
"I spend so much of my time basically trying to show the real harms that can happen to people through these supply chains and through the ad tech surveillance model and world that we live in because that's the business model of every company that we interact with right now."
The intimate gallery in the back of New York's Institute of Arab and Islamic Art is currently home to a show titled "Six Landscapes," which seeks to interrogate how the use of film and photography “further evolve the field of painting."
