Starting May 26th, Pow Wow is at it again this time in Taipei as they kick things off for the inaugural Pow Wow Taiwan. Curated by Pow Wow Hawaii director Jasper Wong along with Lawrence Chen and Taiwanese artist Reach, Pow Wow Taiwan will again find the world’s best artists bringing their best to an international stage as only Pow Wow can do it.
We caught up with Pow Wow co-director Kamea Hadar to talk about Pow Wow and his latest release Flower to coincide with Pow Wow Taiwan.
1xRun Thru Interview
Flower by Kamea Hadar
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Kamea Hadar: This piece was part of a show that I did in San Jose entitled Face Value. The show explored the human form and its relation to themes of sex, culture, and the human condition. The contrast of highly finished detail and rough paint strokes makes for an interesting balance of seemingly static imagery and the dynamic nature of an artist’s hand. This not only moves the viewers’ eyes around the pieces but pushes and pulls perspectives in and out. The use of negative space also adds to the dancing of perspective as well as allowing the audience to input pieces of their own interpretation.
While not explicitly portraying typical themes from the Aloha State, subtle hints of my roots in Hawaii can be found in many of the pieces including the state flower, the hibiscus. Although the official state flower is the yellow hibiscus or ilima, many of the commonly seen red hibiscus varieties found throughout the islands and in Hawaiian imagery, though related to the native yellow variety, were introduced more recently and are not considered “native” plants. In many ways this acts as a metaphor for the very mixed peoples and cultures of Hawaii including myself, being Israeli-born and Hawaii-raised and whose family is many generations rooted in Hawaii but not of native Hawaiian blood. Such comparisons of culture and interpretations of the human form can be seen throughout my work in Face Value.
1xRun: When was this piece created and with what materials?
Kamea Hadar: This piece was created over the course of about two weeks in in the late summer/fall of 2013 using oils on canvas.
1xRun: Describe this print in one gut reaction word.
Kamea Hadar: Red.
1xRun: What can people expect for the inaugural event in Taiwan?
Kamea Hadar: Like POW! WOW! Hawaii people can expect amazing artists and amazing art to be created in an amazing place. But because of the inherent difference in location POW! WOW! Taiwan will have a completely different flavor, especially with collaborations being created with local Taiwanese artists.
1xRun: Aside from Pow Wow Taiwan 2014, what are your plans for the new year?
Kamea Hadar: As soon as I get back from Taiwan Im getting married to my girlfriend and muse Shanna. Then I have a show with Defer in San Francisco in August, POW! WOW! Israel in September, another gallery show in Honolulu in the fall/winter with Defer and Norm and RVCAloha (RVCA’s surf/skate/art projects in Hawaii during the triple crown of surfing) in December. There’s tons more projects peppered throughout but those are some of the highlights. Pretty busy, but I love it! There’s nothing worse than being bored and the phone not ringing!
1xRun: Anything you’d like to add that we didn’t touch on?
Kamea Hadar: If you want to be part of the POW! WOW! family or have a POW! WOW! in your city then just email. But expect to work your ass off because in our family everyone earns their keep. Or create your own POW! WOW! I think that people do not realize that they can do anything, just set a date and work towards it. Do not wait for the opportunities to come to you, create them yourselves.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Kamea Hadar: Website – Twitter – Instagram @kameahadar
For the full lineup visit PowWowHawaii.com for English and PowWowTaiwan.com for Chinese.
-1xRUN