Molokai Arts Center Artist in Residence

James Jack
Molokai Window
Honolulu Museum of Art
2018

This work begins with the land beneath us—the soil which sustains life from birth to death. Today this land is in crisis. From a human-centric view of the earth, it appears that we are in control of land—it is bought, sold and utilized as capital—real estate ventures, expansive governments and businesses all rely on this illusion. Yet land endures trauma, crisis and controversies— it may be scarred, but the land is resilient and strong. This artwork is born from the richness of the land, seen through the layers of the earth, creating a window allowing the luminous colors of the land itself to shine through.

James Jack. Molokai Diary. Local dirt on paper. 2016