The Capitol Modern, also known as the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, is celebrating traditional printmaking mediums and the evolution of collage through its latest 'Technique and Texture' mini-exhibition. Set to quickly make its mark on the art community, the show is available for public viewing from Saturday, August 23 to Saturday, September 27, 2025. For art enthusiasts and casual browsers alike, the exhibit can be found strategically placed on the ground floor glass case across from the gift shop, as reported by the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
True to the exhibit's title, 'Technique and Texture' aims to fully showcase a small, yet impactful survey of artworks that span across various textures and materials—like an invitation to visually explore the disparate elements that have come to form such a versatile art form. Every piece featured is from the rich Art in Public Places Collection. Bringing together their collective eye for the aesthetically intriguing are co-curators Pete Powlison and José González, who are both art installers for the SFCA Art in Public Places Program.
Collage, known for its assembly of artistic composition from an array of elements, offers a narrative just as rich in history as in technique. From early 20th-century Picasso and the Cubists to mid-century Henri Matisse and Romare Bearden, and even into today's digital collage horizon, it's an art form that has continually redefined itself. The exhibit provides a closer look into this dynamic history and its growth through the different pieces on display. Collage’s accessibility is also spotlighted—whether it's the use of household scissors, glue, old magazines, or found objects, it becomes clear that this art form is uniquely open to all.
Patrons of the museum are encouraged to keep an eye out for the collage techniques peppered throughout the exhibit. The spotlight is not just on the physically assembled works but also on the thought-provoking image juxtapositions that aim to subtly lead your imagination into uncharted territories. It's about sparking those "surprising alternative associations in the mind" that the exhibit seems to showcase so effortlessly, as mentioned in the SFCA announcement.
Highlights of 'Technique and Texture' include Kim Chung's "Floating Letter," a mixed media sculpture dating back to 1973, Hon-Chew Hee's “My Studio Window” from 1954, and the very recent “Sewing for All Occasions” by Linda Kāne, which brings together encaustic and mixed media in a piece from 2022. The online SFCA Art in Public Places Collection database provides further insight, with links to each artwork included in the exhibition.
Those interested can visit the Capitol Modern on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., with extended evening hours on the first and third Fridays of the month, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m., located at 250 South Hotel Street, Honolulu HI 96813. More information and a glimpse into the featured artworks can be found on the exhibit's official webpage.
