Art in the islands: Honolulu Museum of Modern Art

 The first time I went to Honolulu, the buses were adorned with enticing pictures of Middle Eastern doors, advertising the visiting exhibition at the art gallery. We never quite made it there, but the last time, I put aside a morning, having already noticed the ad for the Harajuku fashion exhibition.

The collections of the Honolulu Museum of Art are housed in a glorious building at 900 South Beretania Street, between Ward Avenue and Victoria Street. Easy to get to on the #2 bus or a ten minute walk from Al Moana Shopping Centre. The historic tour on the Waikiki trolley will also take you there. Entry is $10, and the museum is closed Mondays, and Sunday mornings. Otherwise open between 10am - 4.30pm daily, or 1pm - 5pm on Sundays.

In 1922, New York architect Bertram Goodhue designed the plans for a series of galleries that surrounded courtyards, making the most  of natural light and Hawai‘i’s climate. He used elements of Chinese and Mediterranean architecture, along with the pitched roof popular in Hawai‘i, to create a new Hawaiian architectural style. The revival mission style of the building is adorned in the courtyards with ponds, lava rock, chinese granite slabs and aggregate stone. The combination of nature and history give a harmonious feel to the cool passages between galleries, 

The collection is huge, and they cover everything from ancient Asian and Tribal art, obviously the local art of the Islands and everything in between to the contemporary exhibitions. I was intrigued by the American art of 18th century, for while I'd seen a lot of the European masters of this era, the American style was really quite new to me. There were also two visiting exhibitions that were fabulous and the eclectic mix of visiting works was refreshing. (Edgar Heap of Birds is there until October 2016 and the Hiroshige’s City: From Edo to Tokyo leaves in August)

Not matter what your style of art, they'll have an example. It's well worth allowing a couple of hours to explore. 

The ticket allows same day entry into Spalding House. There is a bus, or drive. Do not do as I did and look at the map and decide to walk. It took easily an hour in the midday sun and I was hot and tired after treking up the steep large hill. The Spalding House gallery is worth visiting for the house and gardens alone. The house was built in 1925 and in the 40's an elaborate Japanese style walk garden was added in the ravine. The views over the city and out to Diamond Head are spectacular. 

Spalding House houses contemporary exhibitions, but the jewel at this gallery is the permanent installation of David Hockney's L'Enfant et les sortilèges. The immersive experience is quite magical.

The sculpture garden is delightful and there's a number of fun works to make it quite a different art experience to the main museum.

I had a tasty light lunch at the cafe here before heading on my way again. I loved my morning here, and next time have every intention of exploring the evidently stunning Shangri la, the museum housed in the former home of Doris Duke.

One last tidbit for the art lovers, if you like the work of George Segal, there's a pop art installation at the Museum of Modern Art's main gallery, but also a statue at the University, on the street near the Stan Sheriff Centre. I was thrilled to discover that in passing one day.

Hawaii offers so much more than beaches and shopping, you just need to tear yourself away for a few hours.

Practicalities:

Honolulu Museum of Modern Art 

Spalding House

Linking with  #GardenAffair and #SharonsSouvenirs