Exhibition duration: September 9 –29, 2011
Opening Reception: Friday, September 9 @ 6:30-10:30pm
Open Studio: Friday, September 23 @ 6:30-9:30pm
Curator: Jewel Lim
Live Jazz Music: New World Order
The Alfa Art Gallery is pleased to present “Spirit of Nature,” a solo exhibition featuring John Hawaka. Carrying the trademark of his works created with lacquer, these paintings in his second nature series are graceful yet explosive. While some pieces give the impression of colorful ink beautifully suspended in water, ever so slowly expanding outwardly on the white board Hawaka uses others splatter dynamically into natural forms with force. Regardless of the way the lacquer imprints the board, Hawaka’s colors are captivating and optimistic, never in any inch of the work dull, with the white spaces delightfully acting as light. Overall, Hawaka’s abstraction of the spirit of nature creates a beautiful and long-lasting impression of the sublime.
John Hawaka’s catalog will also be released at this exhibition, featuring both of his nature series, last year’s collection “Above, Below and Beyond” and the “Spirit of Nature.”
About the Artist
Officially represented by the Alfa Art Gallery since 2008, John Hawaka has brought to New Brunswick a wealth of creativity and skill. As one of the few artists to use lacquer in painting, his work is more impressive and rare to see. Hawaka attended Phoenix School of Design in New York and Montclair State University in New Jersey. He has also contributed his work to foundations and private collectors in New Brunswick, Princeton, Piscataway and surrounding areas, making him a local treasure.
