LIHUE — While the Big Island has lava in real life, Kukui Grove Center offers its rendition of hot lava done in concrete by Joshua Huntoon in Huntoon’s debut art show that opened Friday night at the Kauai Society of Artists gallery.
“Everything is done in concrete,” said Renee Palmer, Huntoon’s friend. “From the ‘concrete on the wall’ hangings to the sculpted pieces, Josh has done everything in concrete.”
Huntoon said he’s been working with mortar for a long time.
“From the time I was young,” he said. “My father was a mason and the job site was my babysitter. I played with mortar for a long time.”
More than 30 years later, Huntoon’s show demonstrates the knowledge and skill he’s gained from the days when children were allowed to go to work with parents at job sites.
“I’ve done the rockwork at the Koloa Landing Resort pools,” Huntoon said. “But that is not the art side.”
Huntoon’s exhibit is available for viewing for just six days, closing July 19. Viewing hours are from noon until 6 p.m. except today, when Huntoon expects to open at 10 a.m. to accommodate the Back to School Bash, where the KSA gallery is one of the passport stops for bash participants.
Concrete is sensitive to its environment, said the sculptor. “Every place is different,” he said. “And every batch comes out different. You add a little more or less water and concrete and it takes on different life.”
Of note are the sculptures created out of concrete that resemble living lava.
“We did all of this in a condominium,” said Palmer, who described herself and Huntoon as “newbies” to the Kauai Society of Artists. “It’s an upstairs apartment, too. We had to carry everything down to get here.”
Huntoon said the art show is something he always wanted to do, and he plans on being present at the KSA after hours discussion Wednesday afternoon as well.
“I don’t really have much to say,” he said. “I let the art speak.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
