By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
These hand-painted animal figures, Oaxaca woodcarvings
from Mexico, will be sold the World Art Bazaar.
The Art Academy's bazaar
By Nadine Kam
honors the folk art tradition
Star-BulletinHonolulu Academy of Arts' 16-year-old Folk Art Bazaar has a new name this year. It's been redubbed the World Art Bazaar to better reflect its international mix of hand-crafted wares offered up to Christmas shoppers. New to this year's sale, which opens Saturday in Gallery 13 and the Fountain Court Gallery, are ceramics and musical instruments from Vietnam, Indonesian textile hangers and antique Chinese children's hats. These are presented in addition to the usual vast collection of Christmas tree ornaments, creches, masks, baskets and ethnic clothing representing about 30 countries.
"My joy and passion is to find good homes for these very special pieces," said Academy Shop manager Kathee Hoover, who is the buyer for the bazaar.
By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Japanese masks make unique wall decorations. Above, bowls,
cups and baskets come from Thailand, Burma, Indonesia and
the Philippines. Items sold at the Art Academy's annual
bazaar celebrate traditional arts and crafts.
She's found that folk art in general is "disappearing at an alarming rate right now."I feel that because of the globalization of the economy, things are moving at such a fast pace that people no longer want to hand dye and hand weave things. Traditional crafts are no longer being practiced," she said. "Village life isn't what it used to be."
For this reason, the sale fulfills part of the academy's mission to educate about these disappearing art forms. Items are carefully tagged with descriptions that reveal their history, origins, the techniques used in their creation and ceremonial or cultural significance.
"When I can tell people more about the pieces than what's on the tag, they're very grateful for the information," Hoover said.
Proceeds from the sales help to support other academy programs.
By Dennis Oda, Star-Bulletin
Laura Dillon helps her daughter, Sura-quay Arbon,
try on one of the kimonos to be sold.
Hoover said many shoppers are collectors, such as one woman who always searches for antique Chinese baskets. "I will look for a good selection especially for her," Hoover said.Many more come in looking for anything intriguing. "One woman came in one year and bought a fabulous basket from Tonga and another year bought an interesting carving from Thailand," Hoover said. "I'd love to see her home!"
Hoover does not actually travel to the many countries represented. Instead, she relies on about a hundred importers, although she said she would like to focus on a different country every year. It's the only way, she said, that she could fill up a container to make the expense of travel worthwhile.
Whether this will happen in the next few years, however, is not up to her. "You'll have to ask my boss," she said.
World Art Bazaar
Place: Honolulu Academy of Arts, 900 S. Beretania St. Complimentary parking at Academy Art Center
