Waikiki Parc Features Michael Connolly

April 6, 2017 - June 2, 2017
Parc Promenade Gallery, Waikiki Parc Hotel, 2233 Helumoa Road, Waikiki

Michael Connolly芒鈧劉s sculptures are highlighted as part of an expanded arts partnership of the University of Hawai芒鈧渋 at M脛聛noa, the Halekulani and its sister hotel, the Waikiki Parc.

Michael Connolly is a Hawai芒鈧渋-based artist whose work is inspired by volcanic activity, hot rod flames and graphic novels. Connolly captures three types of lava芒鈧漰脛聛hoehoe, 芒鈧渁芒鈧溍劼 and pillow lava. P脛聛hoehoe is smooth and dense, and forms large, flat areas with smooth bumps. 芒鈧淎芒鈧溍劼 is characterized by individual rocks that are rough, porous, jagged and sharp. Lava exposed to pressure and temperature of the ocean results in pillow-like forms.

In his youth, Connolly collected Hot Wheels cars and always favored those painted with hot rod flames; this motif recurs in his work today.

Currently enrolled in the BFA program at Department of Art + Art History, UH M脛聛noa, Connolly has attended ceramic workshops locally and abroad that exposed him to many talented artists, new ideas, and techniques.

Much of Connolly芒鈧劉s early ceramic experience was obtained during his service as a studio technician at Leeward Community College where he received the Outstanding Student Employee award. Recently, Connolly芒鈧劉s work and efforts were recognized by the UH M脛聛noa Department of Art + Art History faculty and he received the Ceramic Faculty Book award, 2016.

Connolly states, 芒鈧揑 play with traditional and contemporary ceramic art practices in the hope of blurring the line between utilitarian function and sculptural capability. Inspiration from molten lava and flames brings movement to customary ceramic forms that are usually seen as stationary. Layering, curving, carving, curling, churning, wavering and amalgamation with contrasting colors are counterbalanced to create movement and temperature.芒鈧

Recently Connolly芒鈧劉s work was included in "Landscape + Lava," a two-person exhibition at the Pacific Guardian Center, Honolulu, 2017, and "VISION: 2016 Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition," The Art Gallery, UH M脛聛noa.

On April 6, Guitarist Christopher Hopper will provide music at the opening reception in this series of up-and-coming young artists芒鈧劉 exhibitions at the Waikiki Parc. In 2016, he received a Bachelor of Music degree in performance from the Department of Music, UH M脛聛noa. He has also studied with guitar virtuosos Carlos Barbosa Lima, and the Brazilian Guitar Duo芒鈧劉s Douglas Lora and Jo脙拢o Luiz.

http://www.hawaii.edu/art/exhibitions+events/exhibitions/?p=3058

SPONSORS: University of Hawai芒鈧渋 at M脛聛noa Department of Art + Art History, College of Arts + Humanities, and Waikiki Parc Hotel 芒鈧 Hospitality Sponsor for the Arts at UH M脛聛noa

Image: "Fire and Lava 2," 2016

ceramic, high fire

13芒鈧滺 x 10.5芒鈧 W x 10.5芒鈧 D

Courtesy of the artist.


Ticket Information
Daily operational hours of the hotel. Admission is free. Complimentary parking with hotel validation.

Event Sponsor
Art + Art History, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Sharon Tasaka, (808) 956-8364, gallery@hawaii.edu,

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