Artists Jane and Linus Chao and their student artists will host their biennial art show starting today through Feb. 25 at the Wailoa Center in Hilo.
The fine art show will feature watercolor, watercolor on silk, oil and pastel paintings. Many of the artists joining the show are longtime students and friends of the Chaos.
Friends exhibiting their art include Sybille von Fircks, Annette Sumada, Russ Cummins, Marian Kuruhara, Marge Kanemitsu, Harry Char, Rose Togashi, Myra Hiraki, Allan Grapard, Allan Takase, Janet Matsuo, Karen Schuster, Harvey Nakamura, T. Kiso, Judy Haraguchi, Jane Uyeno, Grace Chao and Reece Grace.
Wailoa Center Director Codie King describes the Chaos’ art as “the harmonious union of West with Eastern poetic spiritual and philosophical emphasis, combined with reality, color and principles of western traditional and eastern traditional approaches. These approaches are combined to create and enjoy visual art and fantasy.”
Linus Chao studied fine arts at the National Normal University of Taiwan. He later studied filmmaking and cartoon animation in Japan, and also studied and worked at Walt Disney Art Studio and Hanna-Barbera Studio. Jane Chao started art lessons at age 9 when she lived in Japan. When her family returned to her birth place in Harbin, China, she learned art from Chinese teachers. Between 1965 and 1969, the Chaos operated a large art studio in Taipei, Taiwan, where they produced award-winning animated short films and other art productions.
In October 1969, the Chaos emigrated from Taiwan to Hawaii with their four children. Linus began teaching art at Hawaii Community College in 1971. Jane started to teach art at their home in 1979. After retiring from 33 years of teaching art at HCC, Linus joined Jane to teach art at their Mountain View art studio and residence.
The opening reception for the artists is from 5-7 p.m. today. This event is free and open to the public.
On Monday and Feb. 15, the public also is invited to celebrate Chinese New Year at Wailoa Center. Linus Chao will give a free lecture between noon and 2 p.m. both days about the basics of Chinese brush painting.
Wailoa Center is a Division of State Parks, Department of Land and Natural Resources. It is free and open to the public 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and closed Saturday, Sunday and state holidays.
For additional information, call 933-0416 or email wailoa@yahoo.com.
