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Artwork at Hamilton Library

The library is home to many exceptional pieces of art. The artwork is listed by floor below. Click on the accompanying images to get a closer view.

Ground Floor

Rosarito, acrylic on canvas by SAM Redspoon

Rosarito, Lobby, by Government Documents & Maps

Acrylic on canvas by John Wisnosky as SAM Redspoon , circa 1995. Gift to the Library from Merium Wisnosky, 2012.

First Floor

Epitaph sculpture by Harold Tovish

Epitaph, Outside Main Entrance

Sculpture of black granite, stainless steel, and chromed bronze, by Harold Tovish, 1970. Commission: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Shinto Lion dog sculpture

Pair of Animal Guardian Figures, Main Entrance

Protective "lion-dog" figures, stone. Brought from Japan in 1924 for the Shinto Wakamiya Inari Shrine formerly on King St., given to the University in 1942.

Makahiki Ho'okupu, mural by Juliette May Fraser

Makahiki Ho'okupu, Main Entrance

Charcoal and sanguine mural on masonite by Juliette May Fraser, 1939. Made for the 1939 San Francisco International Exposition, presented to the Library in 1977 by the Hawaii Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. Restored 1980 and 2000.

Portrait of Thomas Hale Hamilton

Thomas Hale Hamilton, University of Hawaii President, 1963-1968, Lobby, by Circulation Desk

Oil painting by Eve Incledon. Presented by the Class of 1968.

Defining Moment, mixed media by Ross Togashi

Defining Moment, Lobby

Mixed media in shadow box by Ross Togashi, 2005. Library purchase.

An illustrated three panel display full of plants and birds

Plants and Birds of Hawai‘i, Lobby

Fresco on canec by Juliette May Fraser, 1976-1977. Gift of the Winona Chang Estate, 2016.

Relief wallhanging by Jean Williams

#10 Wallhanging, Microfilm Room

Wallhanging with chenille and pheasant feathers by Jean Williams. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Swimmer's Quilt by Mari Sakamoto.

Swimmer's Quilt, Clic Lab

Quilt by Mari Sakamoto, 1996. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

abstract pen and ink drawing

Untitled - one of a group of nine felt tip pen drawings, CLIC Lab

Felt tip pen on paper by Ray Yoshida. Gift of Kohler Foundation [RY#722], 2011.

Rain's Reflections by John Wisnosky

Rain's Reflections, CLIC Lab

Acrylic on canvas by John Wisnosky, 1980. Gift to the Library from Merium Wisnosky, 2011

abstract painting

Coexistence: Creature, CLIC Lab

Oil on canvas by Keichi Kimura, circa 1990. Gift of Kohler Foundation [#25 / #1233], 2011.

Ray Yoshida painting

Untitled - Figure in Profile with Hand Outstretched, CLIC Lab

Oil on canvas by Ray Yoshida, 1972. Gift of Kohler Foundation [4903 / 937 / #722], 2011.

Abstract still life with flowers

Vase & Flowers Purple, CLIC Lab

Acrylic on canvas by Mine Okubo, 1975. Gift to the Library, 2010.

Illustration of a girl in an orange dress with blue leggings holding a hoop

Girl with a Hoop, CLIC Lab

Oil on canvas by John Young, circa 1975. Gift of Kristen E. Murphy, 2011.

Watercolor of country market

Mom and Pop Remembered, CLIC Lab

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1997. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of theatre front

Lihue Deco, CLIC Lab

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1988. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of downtown street scene

Honolulu Downtown, CLIC Lab

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1989. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of old house

Aloha, the Party: Hale Kipa, Study Area

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1986. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

watercolor of church

Kauai Gothic, Study Area

Ink and watercolor by John Dapper, 1987. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of old storefronts 1923 King Street

1923 King Street, Study Area

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1990. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor by John Dapper

King Street Collage, Study Area

Ink and watercolor by John Dapper, 1986. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of historic home

Early Washington Place, Study Area

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1989. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of old wooden buildings

Old Moiliili, Study Area

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1996. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of old storefronts, Street Scene

Street scene, mixed plate, Lobby

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1994. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of old brewery

Old Honolulu Brewery, Lobby

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1986. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

Watercolor of old storefronts

Kewalo Basin and old others, Lobby

Ink with watercolor by John Dapper, 1998. Gift of John Dapper, 2003.

abstract painting by Keichi Kimura

Bridge, Lobby

Oil on linen by Keichi Kimura. Presented by the class of 1959.

abstract landscape painting

Landscape, Lobby

Oil on linen by Keichi Kimura. Presented by the class of 1959.

An abstract sculpture in the shape of a person sitting on the ground with knees bent

Adam, Lobby

Bronze sculpture by Satoru Abe, 1954. Re-presented to the Library by the ASUH and the Class of 1954 on the occasion of the University Diamond Jubilee, 1982.  

Kona Shore oil by D. Howard Hitchcock

Kona Shore, Reception, Room 112

Oil on canvas by D. Howard Hitchcock, 1934. Gift of Leonora N. Bilger.

Rough Waters painting by Wm. Twigg-Smith

Rough Waters, Reception, Room 112

Oil painting by William Twigg-Smith, 1932. Presented by the Class of 1932.

genre painting by George Morland

Caulking the Boat, Reception, Room 112

Oil on canvas by George Morland, 1763-1804. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. James S. Porter.

First Floor Addition

Siapo by Mary Pritchard

Samoan Siapo, Lobby

Siapo mamanu with mulberry bark and organic dyes by Mary Pritchard, c. 1965. Gift to the Library from Joan Griffis, 2009.

abstract landscape painting by Toshiko Takaezu

Lava II, Lobby

Acrylic on canvas by Toshiko Takaezu, 1969. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

The Fire and Sea Took an Oath Together. Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull

The Fire and Sea Took Oath Together, Lobby

Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1983. Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.

Drawing of Augusta Ball by Jacqueline Chun

Alice Augusta Ball (1892-1916), Lobby

Conté crayon on paper by Jacqueline Moore Chun, 2000. Commissioned gift of Stan Ali.

Acrylic, abstract M. Turnbull

Floods of the Yellow Gold of the Gorgeous Indolent, Sinking Sun, Ewa Wall

Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1983. Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.

Second Floor

Cheng's Nana I Ke Kumu

Nana i ke Kumu (Look to the Source), Open Stairwell

Batik triptych by Yvonne Cheng, 1978. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Flight to the Sun, batik by Kussudiardja

Flight to the Sun, Next to Open Stairwell

Batik painting by Bagong Kussudiardja, 1973. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Will Lidsker, 1987.

Pigeon, batik by Kussudiardja

The Pigeon, Next to Open Stairwell

Batik painting by Bagong Kussudiardja, 1972. Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Will Lidsker, 1987.

Kalawao Colors, photograph by Jim Kastner

Kalawao Colors, Study Carrels

Color photograph by Jim Kastner, 1989. Library purchase.

Kualanui Sunset, photo by Kastner

Kualanui Sunset, Study Carrels

Color photograph by Steven Kastner, 1991. Library purchase.

Detail of Kastner's Sunset at Pihea

Sunset at Pihea, Study Carrels

Color photograph by Steven Kastner, 1981. Library purchase.

Windward Dawn, photo by Kastner

Windward Dawn, Study Carrels

Color photograph by Steven Kastner, 1983. Library purchase.

Lanikai Dawn, color photograph by John Haak

Lanikai Dawn, Study Carrels

Color photograph by John Haak. Gift to the Library.

Second Floor Addition

Untitled acrylic on canvas by John Wisnosky

Untitled, Bridge Gallery

Acrylic on canvas by John Wisnosky, 1984. Gift to the University from Wayne Morioka, 2008.

Landscape painting of River Street bridge by Sidney T.K. Yee

Bridge, Bridge, Bridge Gallery

Acrylic, paper on aluminum by Sidney T.K. Yee, 2002. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Rainbow pattern weaving in three horizontal parts by Reiko Brandon

Anuenue #2, Central Lobby

Weaving by Reiko Brandon, 1977. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Third Floor

landscape drawing by Don Dugal.

Public Space, Elevator Lobby

Charcoal and conte' drawing on paper by Don Dugal, 1992. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Abstract landscape screenprint by Allyn Bromley

Manoa, Elevator Lobby

Screenprint by Allyn Bromley, 1990. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Photograph of Indonesian woodcarvers by Penny Kaiman-Rayner.

Indonesian Series: Wood Carvers, Study Carrels

Sepia toned, hand colored silver gelatin photograph by Penny Kaiman-Rayner, 1991. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Photograph of Indonesian banana seller by Penny Kaiman-Rayner.

Indonesian Series: Banana Seller, Study Carrels

Sepia toned hand colored silver gelatin photograph by Penny Kaiman-Rayner, 1991. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Photograph of Indonesian man in shop by Penny Kaiman-Rayner

Indonesian Series: Man in Shop, Study Carrels

Sepia toned, hand colored silver gelatin photograph by Penny Kaiman-Rayner, 1991. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Third Floor Addition

Acrylic abstract landscape painting M. Turnbull

"A Lonesome Place Against the Sky" -- Edwin Markham, Lobby

Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1982. Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.

Acrylic abstract landscape M. Turnbull

"The West was Getting out of Gold" -- Robert Frost, Lobby

Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1982-1989. Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.

Fourth Floor

Detail of Carp and Willow Branch

Carp and Willow Branch, Asia Collection Lobby

Japanese brush painting on silk. Gift to the Library.

Seated Amida Buddha, 15th century sculpture

Seated Amida Buddha, Asia Collection Reading Room

15th century. Japan. Lacquered wood, gold over black. Stand (in four parts) of red and gold lacquer. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Replica Chinese soldier statue

Chinese Soldier, Asia Collection Reading Room

Replica of terra cotta funerary figure from the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang Di, Sian Shi, Shaanxi Sheng, completed 247-208 BC. Gift of Mr. Tanahashi, 1987.

The Bickford-Gallian Collection of Chinese Ceramics

The Bickford-Gallian Collection of Chinese Ceramics, Asia Collection Reading Room

Zhou to Song dynasty pieces (circa 1050 B. C. - 1400 A. D.) Gift of Donald D. Bickford and Earl Gallian, 1986.

Fourth Floor Addition

Acrylic, blue abstract M. Turnbull

"The Polar Night...." -- Edith Stillwell, Lobby

Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1973. Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.

Acrylic, abstract brown M. Turnbull

It is a Brittle Morning that Yields the Truth, Lobby

Acrylic painting by Murray Turnbull, 1973. Gift of Murray Turnbull, 2002.

Fifth Floor

Model of canoe

Eleven Model Canoes, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room & Hall

Documents: Evidence Found in a Library, mixed media by R Togashi

Documents: Evidence Found in a Library, Hall

Silver gelatin prints and mixed media by Ross Togashi, 2004. Library purchase.

Chain of Craters: Mapping the Territory, mixed media by R Togashi

Chain of Craters Road: Mapping a Family History, Hall

Mixed media by Ross Togashi, 2003. Loan: Ross Togashi.

Portable fresco, painting #1178 by Jean Charlot

Kahuna with Sacred Stone, Hall

Portable fresco demonstration for Helen Gilbert art class, Painting #1178, by Jean Charlot, 1969. Gift to the University Art Department, transferred to the Library, 2014.

Ulu quilt by Helen Wong Smith

Ulu o Kaiwiki, Hall

Quilt, by Helen Wong Smith, 2008. Library purchase.

Mestiza with Orange Fan oil by Jean Charlot

Mestiza with Orange Fan, Jean Charlot Collection

Oil Painting by Jean Charlot, 1976. Loan: Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Palauan Village at Night by Gibbons

Palauan Village at Night, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room

Watercolor on paper by Rechucher Charlie Gibbons, 1982. Gift of Dr. Vivian B. Halverson, 1998.

First Child Ceremony by Gibbons

First Child Ceremony, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room

Ink and watercolor on paper by Rechucher Charlie Gibbons, 1982. Gift of Dr. Vivian B. Halverson, 1998.

Agee's House, watercolor by Hilbeary

Agee's House, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room

Watercolor by Rosemary Hilbery, 1984.

Ukall story board by Omengebar

The Unfaithful Wife of the Shark Fisherman, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room

Ukall wood story board from Belau by Saharias Omengebar, 1980. Long-term loan from Dr. Donald H. Rubinstein.

Marquesan ceremonial war club

Marquesan Ceremonial War Club, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room

Gift to the University.

Portrait of Janet Bell

Janet Bell, Hawaiian Curator 1936-1970, Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room

Oil painting from a photograph. Anonymous gift, September 1990.

4 framed art pieces from the charlot collection

Kei Viti Series (4 of 5 from the portfolio), Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Reading Room

Lithographs by Jean Charlot, 1976-1977. Gift of Tobey C. Moss Gallery, 2019.

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