Being There

It's all about gardening and tender loving care for artist Sanit Khewhok in his latest exhibit

SANIT Khewhok is a collections manager at the Contemporary Museum as well as a gifted artist. He's also a lover of gardening. His latest show, "Being There: Recent Works by Sanit Khewhok," merges all those elements of his life onto the canvas.

A good half of the works are paintings of the gardens at the museum, to show "how marvelous they are," and of garden vegetables.

"I appreciate the gardener, and I see myself as very much like the gardener," he says.

"I work full time as a collections manager; I care for the artwork just as the gardener cares for the grounds. It's the same routine."

Other pieces in the show include two-dimensional versions of Khewhok's wooden sculptures. There is also a portrait or two thrown in the mix.

But really, it all comes back to gardening for Khewhok. "The title of the show is from a movie I really like. Peter Sellers plays the main character, a gardener.

"I have an herb garden myself, and I didn't realize how hard it is to take care of. I appreciate the gardener, and I wanted to show that appreciation."

"Being There" runs through March 24 at Nuuanu Gallery at Marks Garage, 1161 Nuuanu Ave.

Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays. Call 536-9828.