Hiroki Morinoue

Earth Spirit

Showing August 8-30, 2008

In this exhibition Hiroki Morinoue shows a series of prints done on multi colored blocks, using various symbols derived from nature and ancient cultures.  He creates an organic arrangement with simple forms, mature colors and years of studied textures.  He has gone from being a relentless realist to an abstract artist and a minimalist, constantly recreating familiar forms in nature revealing old and new sensitivities.  Most of the prints are formatted with 3 by 3, total of 9 images in different sizes which composed or arranged as narrative, create dialogues and movements of its own.  As Kona changes and continues to grow rapidly, it is inspiring to see works that remind us of the natural beauty, the power and the fragility that surrounds us.  In his works, there are thoughts and messages that challenge the viewers to think beyond the immediate forms and surfaces in his narrative style. 

Morinoue is a native of Holualoa, received his BFA from Calif. College of Arts and Crafts in 1973, studied his Sumi-e (Japanese Sumi-ink painting) and Mokuhan-ga (Japanese Woodblock Printing) during his 3 years lived in Japan in early 1980’s.  Morinoue has worked successfully in a variety of media including mixed media paintings, printmaking, ceramics, photography, and sculpture.  He has long been a patient observer of the rhythms, cycles and patterns of nature.  He set his life goal to create art and embarked on a journey of studying ways of expressing himself.  

His work is numerous public collections including Hawaii’s State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, The Contemporary Museum, the Honolulu Academy of Arts, the National Parks, the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Ueno no Mori Museum in Tokyo. His large commissions include Honolulu State Library, Honolulu Convention Center, Pahoa High School and Library, First Hawaiian Banks.

• Related Artists: Jean Gumpper, Leena Jarva, Gordon Mortensen, Robert Patierno

Additional Available Works