Aikue #2 (Hawaiian, Chinese, Irish, Portuguese), 2011
Photograph © 2013 Joseph Maida
Pu’u O Mahuka (Hill of Escape), 2013
Photograph © 2013 Joseph Maida
Xayasana (Thai, Laotian), 2010
Photograph © 2013 Joseph Maida
New Natives at Daniel Cooney Fine Art
The series New Natives, Joseph Maida's first solo exhibition at Daniel Cooney Fine Art, was originally inspired by Barack Obama, the first non-white, non-mainland elected President of the United States - significant not only for our country, but across the world.
"New Natives are a group of portraits of aspiring male models of mixed ethnicity and race from Hawaii. These subjects are scouted through social media and photographed in their local terrain around the metropolis of Honolulu. Drawing from Hawaii’s royal history as well as its Eastern and Western influences, this series introduces visions of masculinity, identity, and sexuality, which upend conventional hegemony."–New Native Exhibition Catalog
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Pu’u O Mahuka (Hill of Escape) is the site of a sacred heiau (religious temple) constructed in the 1600’s. This location was Oahu’s other ancient birth spot for the wives of the ruling chiefs and was also the place of human sacrifices through the late 18th century. Following the abolition of traditional religion in 1819, the grounds of Pu’u O Mahuka were used for agriculture including pineapple farming, which brought laborers to Hawaii from around the globe. In 1962, the site was declared a National Historic Landmark and became a state park. Today, this land remains one of the islands’ most sacred spots but is also a tourist destination and a hideout for people who want to drink, get high, and have sex. Hill of Escape -- both in name and history -- engenders multiple possibilities, which mirror the diverse group of models depicted in the larger series.
September 12 – November 2, 2013
Artist’s Talk: Saturday, October 5th, 3:00 PM
