Big Isle buddies

Artists Hiroki Morinoue and John Buck are neighbors in Holualoa, and now they're sharing exhibit space at Nuuanu Gallery at Marks Garage

THE works of Hiroki Morinoue and John Buck are, upon first impression, highly contrasting. One artist creates abstracts drenched in color and bearing distinctive Asian influence; the other produces black-and-white images of flora reminiscent of the American Southwest.

Yet the two men have much in common. They both live and work on the Big Island. Morinoue is a full-time resident, while Buck splits his time between Hawaii and Montana. And they share a love of woodblock printmaking and sculpture. In fact, the artists' current show at Nuuanu Gallery at Marks Garage, on exhibit through April 27, showcases their prints -- Morinoue's colorful abstracts and Buck's cacti (these are actually woodblock rubbings), as well as wood sculptures.

Morinoue's work is included in various prominent collections in Hawaii, including those at The Contemporary Museum, Neiman Marcus and the Hawaii State Foundation of Culture and the Arts. Buck exhibits his work across the United States and has contributed numerous commissions for public art.

Nuuanu Gallery at Marks Garage is located at 1161 Nuuanu Ave. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Call 536-9828.