Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 3, 1 March 2017 — Explore patterns in Hawaiian artistry [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Explore patterns in Hawaiian artistry

'Hulia 'Ano: Inspired Patterns,' opening at Bishop Museum this month, explores Hawaiian aesthetic traditions, highlighting the intricate patterns found on barkcloth, gourds,

woven mats and even in tattoos. The exhibit will run in the J.M. Long Gallery from March 18 through Oct. 17. Items on display include treasures from the museum's ethnology and natural science collections, and highlight where design motifs have similarities in the natural world. Eaeh exhibit case, represented by a single Hawaiian word, will group together cultural and natural objects, whieh when considered together ean deepen understanding of the patterns. According to the museum: "From pāwehe motifs (Hawaiian geometric patterns) to design elements inspired by nature, visitors will gaze on bold patterned kapa (barkcloth), fine makaloa sedge mats, printed gourds, a mahiole (royal feathered helmet) and 'ohe kāpala (bamboo stamps). Objects from the museum's natural science collections will include herbarium (plant) specimens, land and sea shells and other exquisite examples from the zoological collections."

Interactive exhibits will allow visitors to create their own design motifs, while workshops offer an opportunity to make a patterned keepsake to take home. Those workshops begin on March 21 and will run from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays in

the Hawaiian Hall Atrium. For more information, visit www. bishopmuseumorg or eall 847-35 11.

A new exhibit explores Hawaiian aesthetic traditions. - Photo: CouriesyofBishopMuseum