Name/Title
Hawaiian Wax Painting - MusiciansEntry/Object ID
MK_1250Description
This striking peice is one of the Mauna Kea's collection of batiks by Yvonne Cheng
The composition features duplicate spheres of varied hues and density, showing three musicians seated together playing music. The instruments being played, clockwise from the bottom right, are a traditional Hawaiian pahu (drum), a traditional Hawaiian ohe hano ihu (flute) and a traditional Hawaiian pu'ili (rhythm stick).
To create the scene, Cheng employs batik techniques, a traditional Southeast Asian style in which hot wax is applied to cloth in intricate patterns before dyeing. This process allows the artist to selectively preserve the fabric’s original color, resulting in layered, complex designs that highlight both the artist’s control and the medium’s unpredictability. Cheng uses her mastery of this complex process to infuse the scene with vibrant movement, distinguishing this work among its contemporaries.
Acquired in 2024, the piece adds to the Mauna Kea's existing collection of Sri Lankan batiks created by renowned artist Ena de Silva, who made them for the hotel at the commission of Laurance Rockefeller in 1965.Made/Created
Date made
1968Place
State/Province
Hawai'iCountry
U.S.A.Continent
North AmericaDimensions
Height
47 inWidth
43-1/4 inLocation
* Untyped Location
Concierge BreezewayFloor
Lobby LevelBuilding
Main Tower