HFIA 11th Annual Statewide Juried Woodworking Exhibition

Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center 2201 Kalkaua Avenue, Honolulu September 13-21, 2003

The Jurors

Michael Cullen operates a full-time workshop in Petaluma, California, where he creates furniture and decorative objects. He has had a fascination with making things since he was a young child and received his first commission at fifteen: carving replacement legs and ears for a damaged collection of wooden animals from Africa. These first experiences made a lasting impression on him and encouraged him to pursue a career in furniturure making. Michael’s work is collected throughout North America and Europe and has been exhibited, during the past decade, in over forty gallery shows nationwide. Earlier this year he was invited to New Zealand as a resource person and, most recently, to teach a course on veneering at the Marc Adams School in indiana. He is featured in Scratching the Surface; Art and Content in Contemporary Wood by The Guild, and The Custom Furniture Source Book, A Guide to 125 Craftsmen by the Taunton Press. Michael has been featured in many magazines including Home Furniture, American Craft and Woodwork. He is a frequent contributor of technical and design articles to Woodwork magazine.

Robyn Buntin is the owner of one of Honolulu’s best know galleries of Asian and Pacific art. Buntyn was recently characterized by Suzanne Tswei in the Honolulu Star Bulletin with a series of insIghtful comments.

Buntin has a particular fondness for Asian art, especially art influenced by Buddhism. He is best known as an expert on netsuke, a type of decorative carving traditionally serving as jewelry for men in Japan. Netsuke can be carved of bone, ivory, wood or semiprecious stones and is worn on a sash tied around the kimono. Even though the traditional Japanese kimono has given way to Western wear, artists continue to create netsuke to satisfy collectors worldwide.

“The biggest service I offer to my clients is education,” Buntin says. “People are always looking for that great bargain. But the danger is great if you don’t know what you are doing. You can say, after 25 years in the business, I’ve paid my tuition.”

If you are interested in art, first learn about art, he advises. Discover your own taste, and focus on the things that interest you. And, most of all, work with only reputable dealers.

“if you are talking to any real art dealers, they are going to tell you the context that makes the art wonderful,” Buntin says. “The dealer is trying to share a very deep and wonderful art world with you. It’s not just about selling you art.”

Eric Bello began his woodworking career as a turner. His turning experience led to developing a robust trade In columns and other elements of architectural millwork. Bello’s Millwork, Inc. is one of the largest and possibly most automated plants for the production of finely detailed doors, windows and trim in Hawaii. The firm has the capacity to laminate curved figures and structures, such as staircases of almost any dimension. Bello’s has kiln capacity for drying Its own Hawaiian hardwoods. The firm offers a full range of secondary breakdown services from drying to milling and sanding. Bello’s miliwork Is featured in Christ United Methodist Church’s award winning sanctuary. Detailed millwork parts have been supplied to the Moana Hotel, the Maui Westin, the Haupuna Beach Prince Hotel, and the Ko Olina Resort in Kapolei.