Check Out Hawai‘i Artists in Their Home Studios in This New Quarantine-Inspired Series

“Homes+Homeys” by Mori Hawai‘i explores what local creatives are doing while sheltering in place.

Editor’s Note: Through our partnership with the Hawai‘i State Art Museum, HONOLULU Magazine publishes a monthly blog written by Lisa Shiroma, owner of the HiSAM Museum Gallery Shop.

Solitude by Brady Evans

Photos: Courtesy of Mori by Art + Flea

Many artists have the natural ability to social distance on hard mode and focus in on a project while ignoring the outside world. But it can be difficult to juggle the urgency to go to their day job, rush to their side hustle and commute to their next meeting. The stay-at-home order was like a gift of time, with artmaking no longer something that needs to be squeezed into an already crammed schedule—and often ends up taking a backseat. Now, artists have the chance to make art the most important thing that they do each day.

A new series from Mori by Art + Flea called “Homes+Homeys” visits local artists in their home studios for an intimate look at their art practice during the pandemic. There is no one-size-fits-all here. Each artist’s approach to creating artwork is as unique as the individual. Here’s a closer look.

Kamran Samimi 

Kamran Samimi was part of the Stone and Sea exhibition at the HiSAM Museum Gallery Shop x Mori by Art + Flea in January 2018. In “Homes+Homeys,” we get to see how the artist’s own aesthetic is reflected both through his art and his living space. Read more about his process here.

Lauren Hana Chai

You may recognize Lauren Hana Chai’s artwork from her April 2019 exhibition at the HiSAM gallery shop. Her bold painting style is inspired by East meets West, life and death, and Korean mythology. She is currently tackling a large-scale painting that is her dynamic version of the masterpiece “The Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch. Read about her favorite space here.

Lauren Trangmar 

Lauren Trangmar joined the Mori family when she began working for the pop-up shop at the Honolulu Biennial 2019. Her whimsical take on scientific drawings captures the viewer with her attention to fine details. Her studio space is set up so she can find the materials she needs easily and create with a focused flow. Find out how she stays motivated here. 

SEE ALSO: Lauren Trangmar’s New Illustration Series Breaks Down the Anatomy of Local Favorites

Brady Evans

Brady Evans was part of a HiSAM First Friday pop-up in 2018 and is now one of Mori’s featured artists. With a lifelong admiration for Japanese manga and anime, Evans creates his illustrations and paintings with digital techniques as well as by using traditional mediums such as graphite and acrylic. Learn about his current projects here. 

Jason Dow

Jason Dow’s best-selling ceramic shaka robe hook from HiSAM’s gallery shop is now available through Mori’s online store. A high-end jewelry designer by trade, he designed this functional sculpture that can add some fun vibes to your home. See Dow in his studio where precious metals are shaped into wearable works of art here. 

You can find artwork and merchandise by these artists (and more!) at morihawaii.com.

L
isa Shiroma is the owner of the HiSAM Museum Gallery Shop and runs it with partners Aly Ishikuni-Sasaki and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea.

Lisa worked as gallery manager for Koa Art Gallery at KCC from 2014 to 2017.

In July 2017, Lisa, Travis and Aly renovated and reopened the Hawai‘i State Art Museum’s gift shop space as a new art gallery and gift shop “for Hawai‘i artists, by Hawai‘i artists.”