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Susanna L. Cromwell "NATURAL COMFORTS"
Oct
28
to Nov 11

Susanna L. Cromwell "NATURAL COMFORTS"

Susanna L. Cromwell’s upcoming exhibition, “NATURAL COMFORTS”s opening reception cocktail, will be held at Polu Gallery Hale’iwa on Saturday, October 28th, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The show will be open to visitors and collectors at Polu Gallery Hale'iwa till 11/11.

NATURAL COMFORTS: ​​An invitation to seek rest in nature. Inspired by forest hikes, sunset swims, and long talks..
— Susanna L. Cromwell

Susanna planned a colorful and lively art show, but the recent fires in the Maui community left her feeling uninspired and unable to create. We postponed the exhibition so she could focus on helping her neighbors and grieving with loved ones.

Sewing Memories

As we continue to be surrounded by loss and grief, it's easy to forget the serenity that can be found in nature. Our latest exhibition is a visual grief after the fires in Lahaina and an invitation to seek solace in the natural world around us. Inspired by forest hikes, sunset swims, and long talks, this exhibition celebrates the beauty of nature and reminds us to take a step back and enjoy the simple things in life. Join us on this journey of self-discovery through grief as we explore the power of nature to heal and rejuvenate our souls.

Woodblock Prints

Susanna's woodblock prints pay tribute to the resilience and beauty of nature, particularly in the aftermath of Hawaii's most catastrophic fire. Through her art, she celebrates the natural colors and intricate details of the land/ ‘āina, reminding us of the importance of cherishing and protecting our environment/ mālama ‘āina. Susanna's work is a testament to the power of art to inspire and uplift, even in challenging times.

Susanna's art embodies the beauty of Hawaii's natural environment. Drawing on her experience as an artist and island resident, she creates intricate silhouettes of native flora and vibrant depictions of ocean life. Each piece is crafted with intention, reflecting her respect and reverence for the natural world around her. Susanna's work is a beautiful tribute to the stunning landscape that surrounds us and a testament to the power of art to inspire and uplift the human spirit.

Susanna Cromwell's

love for island life began with the stories her immigrant parents shared about their home on the islands of Cape Verde. Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, she grew up with a fascination for the vibrant culture and natural beauty of island living. In 2007, she married a "Surfer Boy" from the North Shore of Oahu, and together, they moved to Maui to start their own island life with their four young children.

As an artist, Susanna draws inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds her, combining traditional Indian and Japanese block printing techniques with non-conventional stamping methods to create unique Aloha Prints and Botanical artwork with a vintage Hawaiian feel. Her work celebrates the vibrant flowers, plants, and ocean life of Hawaii, as well as the people who call these islands home. Working alongside her husband Reed, who crafts the frames for her artwork by hand, Susanna's art captures the essence of island living and the spirit of the people who thrive in Hawaii's lush jungles and pristine seas.

Beauty of Island Life

Bring the beauty of island living into your home or workspace with Susanna's woodblock prints. Her tangible memories feature materials from the islands themselves, creating a stunning and authentic expression of Hawaii's natural environment. Each piece is crafted with care and intention, reflecting her deep connection to the land and sea around her. Add a touch of Aloha to your decor and be reminded of the power of art to connect us to the world around us.

Join us for our opening reception cocktail at Polu Gallery Hale'iwa on Saturday, October 28th, and experience Susanna Cromwell's beautiful artwork in person. Meet Susanna and her ohana, and enjoy an evening of art, music, and Aloha spirit.

To receive a copy of Susanna Cromwell's "Natural Comforts" exhibition catalog before the opening, email info@polugallery.com. Take advantage of this opportunity to be inspired by Susanna's stunning woodblock prints and celebrate the natural beauty of Hawai’i. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Wayne Levin The Edge
Sep
2
to Sep 17

Wayne Levin The Edge

Wayne Levin’s upcoming exhibition, “The Edge”’s, opening reception cocktail, will be held at Polu Gallery Hale’iwa on Saturday, September 2nd, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The show will be open to visitors and clients at Polu Gallery Hale'iwa till September 17th.

The Edge; A space between moments in time, between surfaces, between worlds. The meeting of water, earth, and air. A flash of stillness within a storm of motion, changing, evolving, dissolving. Its engine is the rhythm of the sea.
— Wayne Levin

Wayne’s photographs have been a big part of underwater photography; his work has been exhibited and published worldwide over his 50+ years of photography career. 

First time in color

For half a century, Wayne has been taking photos of the unseen with the dramatic film in black&white. The Edge is Wayne’s first underwater digital photography exhibition in color.

Wayne Levin’s photographs,

draw the viewer into the unknown of the mysterious underwater world of Hawai’i Islands. His experience in photography emerges as the proper framing and choice of light in his artworks. Levin brings Hawai’i’s kai/ocean by capturing a massive wave, and he is gifting the viewers a moment that stops time in the gigantic movements of the ocean. He shoots in a way that the fish gather into forms of startling geometry—mesmerizing tones of blue, turquoise, and dark blues of the ocean in elegant simplicity and intimacy.

Levin’s work is the right choice for your home or workspace if you wish to set up ocean, surf, and island decor. His artworks are gates in time that will take you back to the ocean for a split moment from the comfort of your space.

Biography

Wayne Levin received his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and his MFA from Pratt Institute in New York. His books and monographs include Kalaupapa: A Portrait (1989), documenting the Leprosy Settlement on the island of Moloka‘i; Through a Liquid Mirror (1998), and Other Oceans (2001), Akule (2010), Ili Na Ho’omanaa’o o Kalaupapa 2012, and Flowing 2014. Levin’s photographs were also included in Kaho‘olawe: Na Leo o Kanaloa (1996) and have appeared in such publications as Aperture, American Photographer, Camera Arts, and LensWork. He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts (1984), the Ohio Arts Council (1989), and the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (2006). Widely exhibited, his photographs are in significant public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Museum of Photographic Art, San Diego; The Maritime Museum, Newport News, Virginia; the Dimbola Museum, UK; the Datz Museum, South Korea, The National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, The Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu; and the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

We would love to see you in our opening reception cocktail at Polu Gallery Hale’iwa on the 2nd of September. Meet with the legendary Wayne Levin and experience this historical exhibition firsthand.

Email info@polugallery.com to receive Wayne Levin’s "The Edge" exhibition catalog before the opening.

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