Molokai Artists Shine at Biennial Exhibition 

courtesy of patti golebieski

Four Molokai artists were selected for the prestigious 2024 Artists of Hawaii Biennial. The exhibition, which ran at the Downtown Art Center in Honolulu from Nov. 1 to Dec. 21, was a showcase of about 200 works chosen from over 2,000 submissions statewide. For Molokai, artists Arabella Ark, Kim Markham, Nena Evans and Patti Golebieski had work selected. 

The Molokai artists submitted various forms of art. From pottery tablets to earthenware to tapestries, these women channeled their talents and years of practice to create unique, stunning works. 

“It was a really great honor,” said Kim Markham, who had two pieces accepted into the exhibition. “I was really shocked.” 

Markham’s pieces, called “Lilikoi” and “Say It to My Face,” are a type of ceramic style called earthenware. Heated to 2350 degrees Fahrenheit, the clay becomes almost petrified in this technique. 

“It’s basically a rock,” said Markham. “We’re making rocks – fancy rocks.”   

Markham’s pieces stem from practical uses for ceramics. “Lilikoi” is an orb, inspired by the vases she makes for large, tropical flowers. “Say It To My Face” is a platter styled in the theme of potluck charcuterie parties and layered with a deep, cobalt blue glaze. 

For Markham, her pottery practice revolves around the daily uses of ceramics. 

“I’ve always stressed the functionality of pottery,” she explained. “We want it to be practical, and we want it to be strong and beautiful.” 

For Molokai ceramic artist Arabella Ark, her work has a different, more esoteric style. Instead of the robust earthenware firing, Ark combines Japanese paper with her clay to create a thinner, more delicate tablet. 

Ark’s selected work, “Other Worlds,” was inspired by photos of the universe taken by the Hubble Telescope. First participating in the Biennial in 1989, Ark has spent over 50 years developing her craft. 

“It takes a lifetime,” she said. “You bring everything that you know to your work.” 

Being a Molokai-based artist comes with its own set of challenges when applying for exhibitions off island. Artists have to pay to ship their work to jurors, as well as to travel to view the exhibit if they’re accepted. 

‘It’s costly,” said Ark. But “it’s just the way things are.” 

Likewise, Molokai artists are well versed in the difficulties of bringing art materials on island. 

“I ran out of fabric,” explained Golebieski with a laugh. After a career as an apparel designer, Golebieski turned to focus full-time on her art. Her work for the 2024 Artists of Hawaii show was a three-panel tapestry depicting St. Joseph’s Church in Kamalo. 

Despite running into supply issues, Golebieski was able to finish her artwork, which combines architectural elements of the church along with images of St. Damien and Birds of Paradise flowers. 

The multi-layered tapestry was a first for Golebieski. 

“I’ve never made anything quite like this,” she explained. 

Golebieski hopes that after the show the tapestry will hang in the Damien and Marianne of Molokai Education Center on Oahu. 

“It’s quite the honor,” explained Golebieski. “We were so happy that all of us made the second cut [for the show] and that there’s good representation from Molokai.”