Exhibition Summary

Exactly 121 small sculptures from around the world show how artists have handled the challenges of space and scale dictated by the size of a shoebox. An invitation-only exhibition, this exhibit has attracted a large number of well-known artists from Hawai'i, the U.S. mainland, Argentina, Cuba, Australia, Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, and Mexico. (see the on-line catalog)

Each sculpture speaks for itself. Some works are conceptual, some reflect the artist's cultural heritage, and others are universal in expression. Collectively, the sculptures are a powerful commentary on the state of humankind at the end of this industrially and technologically driven century. Artists have used almost every imaginable medium to create their sculptures including cast metal, carved wood, blown glass, woven fiber, handmade paper, molded clay, desiccated vegetables, found objects, shaped lead, and human hair. Visitors can easily find more than one favorite work, and some have been inspired to make their own sculptures.

After its initial showing at The University of Hawaii Art Gallery, 82 works from The 9th International Shoebox Sculpture Exhibition are scheduled to travel to 11 venues. Its final showing will be at the Maui Arts & Culture Center, in October/November 2008. Previous Shoebox Sculpture exhibits organized by the University of Hawaii Art Gallery were shown in Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Canada, and Guam as well as the U.S. mainland.

This exhibition is sponsored by the University of Hawaii Department of Art & Art History and supported by a grant from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the Watumull Grant for Museum Studies in the Arts.

Publication

A full-color catalogue with a photograph of each work and biographical information about the artists will accompany the exhibit. The catalogue is available for purchase at the University of Hawaii Art Gallery for $15.00 (plus $6.00 shipping and handling) and participating museums and galleries.

An on-line version of the catalog is available for viewing.