GALLERY
On View In The Islands
"Tots 'n Spots" dolls live in, on and around giant mushrooms and fungus.
Kris Higa's love of fantasy and dolls has come together in "Tots 'n Spots," the latest exhibit at workspace in Kaimuki. The show is a scene of little pillow people popping out of a giant pillow mushroom. Cute, cuddly and creepy?
Star-Bulletin Staff
Higa said her goal with "Tots 'n Spots" was to create a forest environment.
Bunnies congregate on a fungus in "Magic Family Plan." The display by Kris Higa is on exhibit at workspace in Kaimuki.
"I'm drawn to fairy-tale lands, with gnomes and miniature people, and that's why (I do) the mushroom thing," she said.
To create the dolls, Higa employed embroidery stitches and buttons to give unique facial characteristics to each piece.
"I try to make them look how real faces look. Sometimes one eye is smaller than another, so I'd use embroidery for one eye and a button for another," she said. "To me, my dolls are cutesy. But lots of people I know get scared by them. They take a step back or they tell me, 'What's wrong with your dolls? They're not normal.'"
Creepy or cuddly? See for yourself. "Tots 'n Spots" runs through Aug. 17 at workspace, which Higa started with her husband, fellow artist Ryan Higa, and three other artist friends. The gallery is located at 3624 Waialae Ave., Suite 201. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, or by appointment. Call 732-2300.
Artist Kris Higa uses embroidery to give her dolls, like Totkins, in the green, and Love Ninja, interesting facial expressions.
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