Ohi’a Lehua, 2019
Oil, graphite, oil stick, kiawe charcoal on canvas
92 x 78 in
233.7 x 198.1 cm
233.7 x 198.1 cm
Ohi’a Lehua are the most deeply ancient and endemic trees on all the Hawai’ian Islands. They were the first to sprout from the newly formed lava islands thousands of years...
Ohi’a Lehua are the most deeply ancient and endemic trees on all the Hawai’ian Islands. They were the first to sprout from the newly formed lava islands thousands of years ago.
Their legend and mana are of sacred place in the culture past and present. They flower in various colors, all exhibited here sprouting mythically from the same Ohi’a Lehua tree. Currently they are under critical threat due to an unknown virus killing entire forests of the trees quickly; and no cure currently discovered to stop it. It has been named Rapid Ohi’a Death Syndrome.
Apparently it is occurring naturally which causes further mystery to the devastation.
Their legend and mana are of sacred place in the culture past and present. They flower in various colors, all exhibited here sprouting mythically from the same Ohi’a Lehua tree. Currently they are under critical threat due to an unknown virus killing entire forests of the trees quickly; and no cure currently discovered to stop it. It has been named Rapid Ohi’a Death Syndrome.
Apparently it is occurring naturally which causes further mystery to the devastation.