If you’re in Hawaii and hoping to view cultural and contemporary art by CHamoru artists, you have until the end of the month to visit the “Ocean of Peace” exhibit at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.

Two of Guam’s visual arts creatives, James Bamba and Gillian Dueñas, are among the six artists of Micronesian heritage whose works reflect themes from the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration. The regional statement, which frames the Pacific as a place of connection rather than conflict, was signed in September by Pacific Islands Forum member countries. 

“What we’ve done is take different themes from this regional declaration, and different artists’ works are in the different sections,” said Dr. Mary Therese Perez Hattori, University of Hawai’i at Mānoa Affiliate Faculty who co-curated the exhibit, which takes up the entire 4,000-square-foot space.  “You see this really nice narrative running through the whole gallery … and their art is in conversation with each other. It’s a really beautiful experience.”

Both James and Gillian took time out from their studies at UH Mānoa to work on the exhibit, which runs through Jan. 31. Gillian, who works in digital rendering and mixed media, has several large-scale digital prints in the exhibition, including one depicting the legend of Maisa, a young CHamoru girl who leads the women of Guam to save the island from a giant fish eating at the island. In addition to the digital works, she contributed mixed-media paintings that incorporate cultural objects into the artwork.  

James’ contributions take a different but complementary form. A master weaver, educator and cultural practitioner, he uses the exhibition to showcase not just finely crafted objects, but the breadth of Chamoru weaving knowledge itself.

“One of the biggest things that I wanted to showcase here was the diversity of weaving that I've been taught, that I know,” he said. “I don't teach (my students) specific items. I teach them the techniques and the methods in order to achieve certain weaving so that they can create whatever they want.”

That philosophy is evident in the range of objects he created for the exhibit: fans, bags, a cigarette case, a sling and other woven forms — 18 in all, including a QR code! The sheer scope of Bamba’s pieces is striking: “I’ve not seen that range of weaving in a single artist,” Mary said.

She also highlighted his ability to replicate or reproduce historic objects, including a hat worn by an early CHamoru depicted by Jacques Arago during Louis Freycinet’s expedition to Guam in 1819. By carefully studying the proportions and structure visible in the drawing, Bamba was able to reproduce the hat’s form.

In keeping with the “Ocean of Peace” exhibition’s Pacificwide framework, he used materials from across Oceania. While the pieces are grounded in CHamoru weaving traditions, the pandanus and other fibers come from multiple islands: Guam and Rota in the Marianas, Fiji, Samoa, and from several Hawaiian islands. 

One angular, diamond-shaped fan even combines leaves from Guam, Hawaii, Samoa and the Marshall Islands into a single object. By blending materials from different islands that show variations in color, texture and quality, James underscores the shared foundations and regional diversity of Pacific weaving, creating works that are Chamoru in technique yet still reflect the interconnectedness of the “Blue Pacific Continent.” 

If you do miss the exhibit, you may get a chance to view James’ work this year.  “We're really honored that he will have two pieces that were nominated by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts for the Art in Public Places collection,” Mary said.  

James’ “balakbak” (purse) comprises a basket and cover, both with handles, that form a purse when used together. If selected for the program, the pieces will be offered for display at more than 600 state government sites including schools, libraries, airports, the State Capitol and Capitol Modern: The Hawai’i State Art Museum. 

“So his work will be shared (around the state) and it’s an honor to have that recognition,” Mary said.

Stay tuned for an update on this when the state committee finalizes its selection for the Arts in Public Spaces Program!

“Ocean of Peace” is at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Schaefer International Gallery now through Jan. 31. The exhibit is presented in partnership with the East-West Center Arts Program and the Pacific Islands Development Program, with support provided in part by the Center for Pacific Island Studies, Medical-Legal Partnership for Children in Hawai‘i, and County of Maui – Office of Economic Development. For the gallery’ latest hours of operation, visit mauiarts.org. 

Jan. 14, 7 pm in the McCoy Studio Theater: “Remathau: People of the Ocean” is a documentary film featuring Micronesian biologist Nicole Yamase, who ventures to the deepest part of the ocean and reconnects with her people’s oceanic roots. A talk panel with the exhibiting artists will follow. Tickets required via MACC Box Office. 

Jan. 16, 5-8 pm in the Gallery and Yokouchi Pavilion & Courtyard: Enjoy activations of dance, music, and poetry that expand on the exhibition’s themes of Pacific Island connections. Food and beverage available for purchase. Tickets required via MACC Box Office.

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