The Honolulu Biennial is an international contemporary art exhibition that brings together artists from Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, Asia and the Americas. This year’s Biennial theme is inspired by a poem from kānaka maoli artist Imaikalani Kalahele called “Manifesto,” which explores rectifying colonial injustices through connecting to one’s ancestry and transcending time and generations.
The Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) supports Native artists through advocacy, convening, marketing support, professional development opportunities and financial support. The NACF artists respond to social, political, spiritual, environmental, economic and food justice issues through a Native lens, drawing increased attention to Native communities, perspectives and challenges and thereby, shifting a global narrative of invisibility, misunderstanding and misappropriation.
NACF has partnered with Honolulu Biennial Foundation, Honolulu Museum of Art, and Engaging the Senses Foundation to present a cohort of NACF National Artist Fellows at the 2019 Honolulu Biennial. More and more, Native artists are bringing Indigenous issues to light in national and international venues. NACF actively seeks opportunities that will support Native artists, and elevate the voices of Native people and issues that affect our communities. The Honolulu Biennial provides a platform that very intentionally promotes the voices of indigenous artists, allowing for deepened discourse where Native perspectives can enter into dialogue and debate amongst artists and biennial guests from around the world.
- Bernice Akamine (Native Hawaiian) – 2015 Native Hawaiian Artist Fellow
- Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit/Aleut) – 2017 Mentor Artist Fellow
- Kapulani Landgraf (Native Hawaiian) – 2013 National Artist Fellow
- Maika’i Tubbs (Native Hawaiian) – 2015 Native Hawaiian Artist Fellow
- Allison Warden (Iñupiaq) – 2018 National Artist Fellow
- Marie Watt (Seneca) – 2011 National Artist Fellow
- Postcommodity artist collective – 2014 Community Inspiration Project grantee
Honolulu Biennial Foundation
Honolulu Biennial Foundation (HBF) supports the local arts infrastructure with a global outreach by presenting a new arts festival, the Honolulu Biennial. The launch of Honolulu Biennial in 2017 marked Hawaii’s first entry into the international biennial circuit. Honolulu Biennial will focuses on art from the Pacific, the Asian continent and the Americas.
The exhibition and presentation of these artists is supported by NACF in partnership with Engaging the Senses Foundation.
For a full list of 2019 Honolulu Biennial events, please visit their website.
EVENTS FEATURING NACF FELLOWS
March 5, 2019 @ 10a-12p
Bernice Akamine “Kalo” Procession and Installation
This event is free, but ticketed. Reserve your spot here.
March 8, 2019 @ 5p-10p
Honolulu Biennial Opening Party
Performance by Allison Akootchook Warden @ 7p
March 9, 2019 @ 3p-4:30p
Honolulu Museum of Art Walkthrough
The walkthrough includes a talk with Healoha Johnston, HoMA Director of Curatorial Affairs, Reuben Roqueñi, NACF Director of National Artist Fellowships, and HB19 artists Marie Watt and Kapulani Landgraf. Free with museum admission. RSVP required.
March 10, 2019 @ 11:30a-1p
Symposium Day 2: Preview of The Story of Everything by Kealoha
Presented by Engaging the Senses Foundation
This event is free, but ticketed. Reserve your spot here.
March 10, 2019 @ 1p-2p
Symposium Day 2: Panel Discussion, On Sacred Ground Native Hawaiian Artists on Arts, Justice and the Environment featuring Bernice Akamine, Kapulani Landgraf, and Maika’i Tubbs, moderated by Reuben Roqueñi, director of National Artist Fellowships for NACF.
This event is free, but ticketed. Reserve your spot here.
March 13, 2019 @ 5:30p-6:30p
Artist Talk: Bernice Akamine & Noelani Arista
A discussion of Akamine’s installation and its significance to the historical narrative of place
This event is free, but ticketed. Reserve your spot here.
March 22, 2019 @ 7 pm
KEALOHA – The Story of Everything
KEALOHA: The Story of Everything is Produced and Presented by Engaging the Senses Foundation. Starring Kealoha with Kauʻi Kanakaʻole, Taimane, Jamie Nakama, Jonathan Clarke Sypert, Jory Horn, and the Quadraphonix. Solomon Enos (artworks). This evented is ticketed. Purchase tickets here.