Refining and Reimagining a Collection

Over a half dozen iconic works of contemporary art have been added to the Honolulu Museum of Art for the entire community to enjoy.

Guests are invited and encouraged to stroll the galleries at their own pace, contemplating the works that interest them, speak to them and inspire them. | Photo: courtesy of HoMA

Art museums typically refer to the artwork they care for in their galleries and vaults as a permanent collection. The word “permanent,” however, belies the living, breathing and constantly evolving nature of the 55,000-plus works of art at the Honolulu Museum of Art – and over the past six months, over a half dozen major works of contemporary art have been added for the entire community to enjoy.

“These incredible additions to our renowned collection keep us on our path to continuously refining, growing, and strengthening our collection, providing museum visitors access to world-class art experiences,” according to Halona Norton-Westbrook, the museum’s director and CEO.

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Pioneering digital media artist Jennifer Steinkamp’s Judy Crook 9, 2017 is an almost ten-foot-high animated projection of a tree as is passes through seasons. | Photo: courtesy of HoMA

Many of these recent acquisitions are currently on view at the museum:

Pioneering digital media artist Jennifer Steinkamp’s Judy Crook 9, 2017, an almost ten-foot-high animated projection of a tree;
Contemporary Chinese artist Li Huayi’s Pine Trees and Spring, 2008, an intricate landscape painting;
American photographer Richard Misrach’s Untitled (July 20, 2013 2:02 pm), 2013, a large-scale photograph from his On the Beach series begun while he was visiting Honolulu in 2001;
And American artist Viola Frey’s Fire Suit with Large Yellow Hands, 1983, a towering ceramic sculpture.

“Each of these artists is a standout in their chosen medium,” said Norton-Westbrook. “Their works help cultivate deep and meaningful conversations about issues that affect us all. We are so pleased to be able to add these innovative and iconic works to the permanent collection, continuing HoMA’s tradition of excellence and global perspectives.”

American artist Viola Frey’s Fire Suit with Large Yellow Hands, 1983 is a towering ceramic sculpture featured in the museum’s recent exhibition, Reflect. | Photo: courtesy of HoMA

The works by Frey and Steinkamp were generously donated by Honolulu Museum of Art trustee Sharon Twigg-Smith. The works by Li Huayi and Misrach were gifts from the artists, and the Arbus photograph was donated by Jeffrey Fraenkel of the Fraenkel Gallery in San Francisco. Said Norton-Westbrook, “We are so grateful to Sharon Twigg-Smith, Li Huayi, Richard Misrach, and Jeffrey Fraenkel for these exceptional gifts, strengthening the museum’s ability to provide transformative art experiences for our community.”

The museum invites the entire community to see these new works of art on display now, and to get lost in HoMA’s world-renowned permanent collection which is growing, being refined, and constantly being re-imagined to captivate and inspire audiences of all ages.