Hawaiian Quilt - King Kalakaua
Name/Title
Hawaiian Quilt - King KalakauaEntry/Object ID
MK_0037Description
This vibrant piece is one of 23 Hawaiian quilts crafted under the supervision of Meali'i Kalama, commissioned by the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in the 1980s. Kalama, a distinguished local quilt artist, had previously crafted a collection of 30 original quilts at the request of hotel founder Laurance Rockefeller in the 1960s, to honor the islands' rich quilting tradition spanning over a century. But by the 1980s, many of the original pieces had to be replaced following 20 years of guest handling and exposure to the elements within the hotel. Kalama was honored to continue to contribute to the Mauna Kea’s quilt collection, but for this commission, without Rockefeller's prior direction to use pastel tones, she was allowed to design the quilts in brighter colors. Using a pale pink applique in a single contour stitch, Kalama and her team fashioned this exquisite kahili design, a nod to the emblematic standards constructed of feathers, that were traditional symbols of Hawaiian chiefs. This particular kahili design is a homage to King Kalākaua, Hawai’i’s last king and penultimate monarch. Containing over 2 million stitches and the product of more than 1,000 hours of meticulous work, this quilt merges contemporary craftsmanship with historical practices, offering a stunning insight into Hawaiian culture. This treasured piece was very recently reframed.Made/Created
Artist
Meali'i KalamaDate made
circa 1978Place
State/Province
Hawai'iCountry
U.S.A.Continent
North AmericaDimensions
Height
86 inLength
86 inHeight
87 inLength
87 inWidth
91-5/8 inDepth
3-7/8 inLocation
Area
6th Floor Mauka-South WingFloor
6th FloorBuilding
Main Tower* Untyped Location
Storage ShedFloor
6th FloorBuilding
Main TowerFloor
6th FloorBuilding
Main TowerRoom
2nd Floor Art Storage RoomFloor
2nd FloorBuilding
Beach WingMK-MKBH Warehouse