Arius Hopman, a geologist/inventor scientist/artist and gallery owner in Hanapepe, is starting up a new art project using traditional Hawaiian earth-tone pigments with modern binders, modern papers and plant fibers. This new project will be the main subject of his
Arius Hopman, a geologist/inventor scientist/artist and gallery owner in Hanapepe, is starting up a new art project using traditional Hawaiian earth-tone pigments with modern binders, modern papers and plant fibers.
This new project will be the main subject of his show, commorating his gallery’s 20th anniversary.
Hopman has researched these volcanic earth tones that have weathered down to beautiful colors and aims for this project to unearth the most efficient ways to sample pigments in the field, collect the best ones, learn how to process them, refine them and store the concentrated pigments for use in paintings and crafts.
“After years of experimenting and learning the new art form of painting with these soil colors, we are now ready to reinvigorate the slashed arts programs in schools, help all interested Hawaii residents find and process their own magical colors,” Hopman said in a release to the Garden Island.
“This is our collaborative Garden Island project. The potential is huge and we will shape this color revolution to fit our collective creativity. We will discover and learn as we go,” he said.
The objective of this research project is to discover the most efficient ways to sample pigments in the field, collect the best ones, learn how to process them, refine them and store the concentrated pigments for use in paintings and crafts. The resulting discoveries will be shared with anyone interested, especially Hawaiians, artists and art teachers.
The show at The Arius Hopman Gallery is 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday. Images at the gallery will be available for purchase after the show.
