By Amanda C. Gregg
Sally French’s Black Spring. Photo courtesy Bruna Stude’
It was amid the riveting, recent news of the death of Osama bin Laden that I was sent an email quoting Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. on the topic of celebrating the demise of another human being: “I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
It made me think of all that is crazy in this world – fanatical and foolish – and made me want to fall to my knees in gratitude for all we have to be thankful for on this beautiful, blessed Garden Isle.
So here are some things we can be joyful about, things we can truly celebrate …
Some of our best art has always held a mirror to our time …
With a bit of beauty, a bit of humor, a nod to violence, pop culture and the context of our own cache of images, Kaua’i artist Sally French whimsically reflects our time, using the same sort of juxtaposed imagery used by famed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, with a tad more realism and contemporary references (like, say, a white Pikachu contrasted on a blood-red canvas). It also seems her balloon-like animals reference the work of Jeff koons, but that could just be me. French’s latest works, titled “The Black Spring” and “Black Rain,” are on display at galerie 103 in Kukui’ula Village in Poipu. French, whose notoriety outreaches the confines of our island by a long shot, describes her latest pieces as a chronicling of the “events in our unsettling world.”
Teamwork created this poster
The collection includes work that spans the last decade, and some that has toured Mainland museums. Galerie 103 ownerBruna Stude says much of French’s imagery from previous work persists through her new work, though brought forward in a different context. French explains that it was either her or the world spinning into dark places that affected her work, noting the onset of the spring season also played a key role. Viewers can decide for themselves whether the blues, pinks, yellows, flowers, birds and insects allude to spring or something else. The exhibit is on display through July 2. An informal discussion and walk-through of her work will take place at the gallery at 6 p.m. June 16. To learn more, go to galerie103.com
