Craftsmen show off woodwork

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The 20th annual Hawaii Forest Industry Association’s Hawaii’s Woodshow wrapped up recently at the Honolulu Museum of Art Academy Art School Gallery at Linekona on Oahu.

The 20th annual Hawaii Forest Industry Association’s Hawaii’s Woodshow wrapped up recently at the Honolulu Museum of Art Academy Art School Gallery at Linekona on Oahu.

Master craftsman Vedad Kulalic won the People’s Choice award with his playful yet skillfully designed and crafted “Desk with Chair.” Kulalic, who lives on Oahu, utilized a combination of monkey pod and koa to mimic a soft fabric-draped desk that many onlookers mistook as sculpture rather than furniture.

Prior to the show’s opening, Big Island artist Peter Ziroli’s “Round Center Table” received the first-place furniture award designated by wood show jurors. Participating artists agreed, and chose Ziroli’s table for the Artist’s Choice award.

The table is based on an 1869 design by William Fisher. The table top is koa with a longan wood star and pheasant wood banding. Medallions on the table apron and base are longan and applied panels are of light koa and kamani. Ziroli lives and works in Ookala.

“I’d like to thank our team of volunteers for making the 20th annual Hawaii’s Woodshow such a huge success,” said Marian Yasuda, show coordinator. “The Woodshow would not be possible without the collective effort of many people. The generosity and sacrifices are greatly appreciated by me and all those who enjoy seeing such a fantastic exhibit each year.”

Only art pieces crafted predominately from Hawaii-grown woods are displayed at Hawaii’s Woodshow as part of its endeavor to encourage and strengthen appreciation for sustainable forestry through the planting of native species. Endangered woods and certain rare species are prohibited.