Among the field of artwork by late artist Fred Zollinger, a dragon peered from between a pair of former President Donald Trump-inspired multi-media pieces.
“He’s a dragon,” said Marion Ku‘ulei Lewis, who described herself as Fred Zollinger’s girlfriend of about six years. “Freddie is a dragon, and his sons are dragons, too.”
The Zollinger display is part of the Kaua‘i Society of Artists 2022 Spring Show that opened Saturday and will continue to exhibit daily through April 1 at the KSA gallery at Kukui Grove Center in Lihu‘e, near the Keiki Korner play area.
Set up as a tribute to Zollinger, who passed quietly, this presentation goes beyond the more-familiar carved wooden boars that stand guard at the Kaua‘i Motorsports shop in Puhi.
The display is Zollinger’s take on the Trump presidency, from election to “The Witch Hunt is Over.”
Details and information on a paddle-out for Zollinger are also available at the show.
“Freddie is a lot more than wooden boars,” said Lewis, who happened to be one of the guests strolling past the show.
“One of those pieces was good enough to earn Best in Show during a 2018 show.”
That award-winning piece is among the display that, along with the Spring Show featuring nearly 60 pieces of artwork is available for viewing daily from noon to 6 p.m., and Friday hours from noon to 7 p.m.
“I’m glad they accepted works from my mother, who is 84 years old,” said artist Nicole Street, who was gallery-sitting Sunday and being treated to Zollinger stories from Lewis. “We almost lost her. But she rebounded, and we have two pieces by her, Pauline Street. It’s just me and my Brazilian red-crested cardinal,” she said of her sole piece in the show.
Two pieces by artist Licia McDonald — “Lemon Drop” and “Jump!” — sold on the exhibit’s opening day, said gallery-sitter Rob Jones.
“This is an amazing story of connection,” Jones said. “After Licia was satisfied with the final colors of yellow and blue and how they would present, a few days later Russia attacked Ukraine.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
