Name/Title
Hawaiian Painting - UntitledEntry/Object ID
MK_0352Description
Contemporary American oil painting on canvas by John Young (1909-1997), untitled. depicting seven galloping horses executed in calligraphic brown lines under a crescent moon, signed John Young on the lower right.
Horses were John Young's most iconic and recognizable subject matter, serving as a personal surrogate for the self. He heavily collected Han Dynasty animal sculptures, which heavily influenced this theme.
Born in Honolulu to Chinese immigrant parents, Young learned traditional Chinese calligraphy at an early age. This piece demonstrates his masterful use of bold, fluid, and gestural "ink-style" brushstrokes mixed with Western Abstract Expressionism to capture an energetic sense of speed and momentum.
The warm, monochromatic earth tones paired with simplified, raw animal contours mirror the primal energy of Paleolithic cave paintings. A recurring crescent moon element is also visible in the upper background, adding a surreal sense of balance and movement.
This treasured piece has been part of the Mauna Kea collection of John Young paintings for decades and was recently restored and reframed.Made/Created
Place
City
HonoluluState/Province
Hawai'iCountry
U.S.A.Continent
North AmericaLocation
Room
Manta RestaurantFloor
Promenade LevelBuilding
Main TowerRoom
Kamani RoomBuilding
HBR Main TowerRoom
2nd Floor Art Storage Room* Untyped Location
2nd Floor Kohala EndFloor
2nd FloorBuilding
Beach WingArea
LobbyBuilding
HBR Main Tower