An Afternoon Of Art At LCC’s Foyer

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Fernando Moctezuma (top) takes a break to look over one of his paintings of the pounding surf. Gladys de Barcza stands with fellow LCC professor “Uncle” Bill Souza at last year’s student art exhibition at Makaha Resort. Photos by Gladys de Barcza.

The Foyer gallery at Leeward Community College hosts a reception focusing on two different series of paintings: “Paul Gauguin’s Influence” and “The Breaking Wave” from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. All works were created by Painting Studio 123 class students who are from the Leeward side.

“It’s the most astounding production of artwork I’ve ever seen in my many years of teaching art,” said Gladys de Barcza, faculty adviser in the Arts and Humanities school at LCC. “I just stumbled onto the right group of people who are totally enthusiastic adults, many of whom have no training.”

The first series, “Paul Gauguin’s Influence,” is a collection of paintings echoing the style of the French artist who spent time in French Polynesia in the late 19th century. The movement of the time was primitivism, which featured exaggerated, large body parts and stark contrasts.

“We used only the colors he used,” de Barcza said. “The resulting artwork is gorgeous.” She also mentioned they did an in-depth study of the human body to enhance the students’ understanding of how to portray themselves in the style and medium.

The second series, “The Breaking Wave,” was inspired by de Barcza herself and her experience with the surf of Hawaii.

Gladys de Barcza stands with fellow LCC professor

“I’ve been looking at the ocean breaking for a number of years. When it came time for our second painting subject, I wanted to loosen up the students.” She explained there is a freedom to the technique and more rhythm and movement involved as opposed to that found in the rigidity of the first subject. The students also went to the beach to watch the waves smash against the coast, inspiring them to replicate the movement on canvas.

De Barcza said she emphasized traditional Hawaiian themes for the beginning artists, most of whom are from the Waianae coast.

“They’re mostly Hawaiian people who are very, very proud of their past,” de Barcza said. “When I said to incorporate Hawaiian symbols in their work, they were very eager to do so.”

Bids for the art pieces will be entertained at the event, but otherwise the art is not for sale.

“Some of the pieces are not for sale for personal reasons. But other artists want to continue in the art world.”

Refreshments also will be offered at the reception. For more information, call 695-5146.