Artist in Residence Duncan Berry

Molokai Arts Center News Release

The Molokai Arts Center (MAC) welcomes Artist in Residence Duncan Berry from Otis, on the central coast of Oregon. Duncan was trained by masters in the 150-year-old Japanese folk art of Gyotaku (fish rubbing), and the 10th century botanical print tradition of Europe. He combines these tools to connect fellow humans to a deeper relationship with the living planet. His direct impressions from the bodies of creatures of the land, sea and air are to him an “active form of reverence.” His work on Molokai will be titled, “All Our Relations,” featuring the island’s creatures of the ‘aina, kai, and lewa.

Duncan currently has two major Gyotaku exhibits touring: “Thanks Be to the Sea” at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, viewed by over 2.1 million visitors, and the “Blue Heart” climate change exhibit which premiered at Oregon State University’s new Marine Studies and then continued at Alaska Sea Life Centre. His work is included in over 120 private collections and multiple museums and corporations. He has taught accredited courses at the university level and over 200 public master workshops throughout the country, including a 5-day Gyotaku workshop at Pu’u O Hoku Ranch years ago. Duncan uses “art to illuminate science” during hands-on gyotaku and nature printing workshops where participants take home beautiful fine art prints they make themselves, along with a deeper connection with each of the species they would be printing. You can find more of his work at bylandbyseabyair.com and on YouTube under Blue Heart Chronicles.

You can find Duncan at MAC Saturday Market at MCHC and the Earth Day MAC table during his residency. He’ll teach a workshop on Gyotaku printing at the 5:30 p.m. Art Bar at Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill on Wednesday, April 16 and is open to teaching additional workshops in the schools if his schedule allows. Attend the “Meet the Artist at MAC Talk,” on Tuesday, April 22, 3 p.m. at Molokai Library for a closer look at Duncan’s Molokai residency.

We are grateful for the Molokai Community Health Center, Hiro’s ‘Ohana Grill, Molokai Library, and Earth Day organizers for partnering with the MAC. Molokai Arts Center received a grant from the Laila Twigg-Smith Fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) for the Artist in Residence Program 2024-25. Mahalo HCF for helping artists grow as storytellers on the island of Molokai.

The MAC looks forward to two more visiting artists in the next few months – a ceramicist and a writer. We are looking for hosts to house them and opportunities for them to teach in the community. If you would like to host a future MAC Artist in Residence, please email molokaiartsexecdr@gmail.com.