Treasures of the Native Forests: Photo Exhibit by Nathan Yuen

May 1, 2009-August 31, 2009
Location: Elevator Gallery

This exhibit celebrates the native forests of Hawai'i and the exceptional plants and animals that can still be found in certain far-flung locations. The exhibit also features authentic Hawaiian leis made exclusively with plant material available to the Polynesians prior to Western contact from these remote native forests.

Arist Statement:

My photography is an outgrowth of my love for hiking to the wild remote places of Hawai'i. Each weekend you can find me hiking, backpacking or kayaking to out-of-the-way locations to photograph Hawaii's native plants and animals, many of which are rare or endangered.

My body of work is at the confluence of hiking, conservation, and fine art photography. It is my goal to showcase the unique plants and animals that live at these places and to give you a reason to protect them for future generations.

For several years now, I have been perfecting a technique to reconstitute multiple overlapping photos into larger panoramic images. This technique allows me to photograph sweeping landscapes that occupy almost your entire field of vision.

Although I love to photograph sweeping landscapes, my first love is taking close-up shots of small diminutive things I find on the trail that are easily overlooked. I love to zoom-in on the incredible beauty of flowers, insects, and other amazing things I see on the trail.

To see more of my work and to learn about my hiking adventures to reach these places go to HawaiianForest.com.