Honolulu Museum of Art
Hawai’i’s only general art museum, comprising 30 galleries, was founded in 1927 by the eclectic collector Anna Rice Cooke, whose home had become crammed with more than 4,500 pieces of artwork. The gracious stucco and tile building in the style islanders call “Territorial” was erected on the site of her original house.
900 S. Beretania St. • 532 8700 • www.honolulumuseum.org • 10am–4:30pm Tue–Sat, 1–5pm Sun • Closed Mon • Adm $10 (discounts for seniors, military, children – under 17s free); free first Wed and third Sun of every month
1. Western Collection
Based initially on Cooke’s gifts, this collection has grown to over 15,000 pieces. It is particularly strong in American works in all media and French 19th-and 20th-century painting, such as the Polynesian themes painted by Gauguin.
2. East Meets West
This group of objects is the product of a concept to which the museum is deeply committed: the meeting of cultures. It is particularly apt since Hawai’i is one of those meeting places. Exhibits include trade goods and furnishings made in the East for Western use.
3. Asian Paintings
A centerpiece of the museum’s Asian holdings is the James Michener Collection of ukiyo-e paintings, which also includes some of Hokusai’s Thirty-six Views of Mt. Fuji. The Asian Collection is equally strong in Japanese scrolls and Ming-dynasty Chinese paintings.
4. Southeast Asian & Indian Collections
A gallery of Indian art, mostly collected by a wealthy Indian family who live in Honolulu, has everything from a magnificent carved door to wedding attire. Southeast Asian items range from shrouds to headdresses, and sculptures to ceramics. Indonesian pieces appear in both the Asian and Islamic collections.
5. Art of the Pacific, Americas, & Africa
Masks, effigies, figurines, statuary, everyday tools, religious artifacts, and other pieces from the Americas, Oceania, and Africa are displayed in separate galleries and in periodic special exhibits.
6. The Art of Hawai’i
This group, made up primarily of paintings, graphic arts, decorative arts, and sculpture, includes many of the most recognized images in the islands, such as Theodore Wores’ The Lei Maker (1902).
7. Textiles Collection
The museum’s textile collection is immense, with only a small selection on display at any time. While the focus is on Asia, there are also fine examples of Pacific tapa cloth. Japanese kabuki costumes, an emperor’s jifu (robe), saris, and everyday clothing are well represented.
8. Henry R. Luce Gallery
This area of the museum incorporates a large space for changing exhibits, the Hawaiian art collection, workshops, and the museum’s offices.
9. Arts of the Islamic World
In conjunction with the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, this gallery is made up primarily of pieces from Duke’s broad-reaching collection – furnishings, woven objects, decorative pottery, and printed papers. Tours of Shangri La begin here.
10. Shangri La Center for Islamic Arts
Tours of Doris Duke’s 1930's era seaside mansion at Black Point begin at the museum with a film, followed by a van ride to her home.Shangri La Center for Islamic Arts • 532 3685 (reservations); tours each Wed–Sat (they book months in advance) • closed Sep • adm $25
Orientation
The museum is arranged around a series of sun-splashed courtyards. Facing the central courtyard as you enter, the European and East-Meets-West collections are to the right; Asian artwork is on the left. The Henry R. Luce Pavilion, Art of the Americas, and the comprehensive Islamic and Indian galleries are at the rear.
Tip: Doris Duke Theatre at the museum is one of only two venues for independent and foreign films on O’ahu. Cozy, acoustically superior, and comfortable, this space also hosts concerts, lectures, and performances. For programming information, call532 8768.
