An avid art collector, Bruna Strude holds a deep passion for art. And in 2009, she created Galerie 103, a place where artists could display their craftsmanship with purpose. “I grew up surrounded by art,” Strude said. Galerie 103 seeks
An avid art collector, Bruna Strude holds a deep passion for art. And in 2009, she created Galerie 103, a place where artists could display their craftsmanship with purpose.
“I grew up surrounded by art,” Strude said.
Galerie 103 seeks to unite local, national and international artists. It features works of high-quality art that reflect global issues and the island’s unique environment — past and present.
The Poipu gallery’s most recent exhibit, “State of the Art,” displays many art mediums including paintings, sculptures, works on paper and photography by artists Strude, Carol Bennett, Margaret Ezekiel, Roberta Griffith, Tom Leiber, Deyana Mielke and Sally French.
French, once a visiting artist of residence at University of Hawaii Manoa, reflects her experiences at the school through her artwork and has one of the most prominent pieces in the gallery, the screen print “Ducklips and Me.”
“It shows the generational gap between me and my students,” French said. “It’s about my relationship with (them).”
Galerie 103, 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka Road, No. 4, also showcases “3rd Saturday Film Night” in collaboration with the Independent Filmmakers of Kauai, created by Tony LeHoven.
“We are more of an artistic experience,” LeHoven said. “The people who are involved in the films are from Kauai.”
Different types of films are shown at the gallery every third Saturday of the month and free to the public.
Since the exhibit’s opening in September, the public has been invited to experience the different craftsmanships from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. And although the works are aesthetically pleasing, their purpose has greater meaning, Strude said.
“One of our goals is to challenge misconceptions about regionalism and ethnic origin … to expand general awareness and to correct any lingering ideas that Hawaiian art is merely focused on the celebration of natural beauty,” Strude said.
Strude also said it’s for this reason she intends to take Galerie 103, which artist friend Tom Leiber helped her create, to an international art fair during Art Basel Week in Miami, where she will set up at Aqua Art Fair 2014 in December. She wants those who come to the gallery to see the exhibitions and art in many forms.
“As an art collector myself, I make sure that art is accessible to everyone,” she said.
