ART THAT TALKS STORY Creativity Runs Deep in the Sabado Family story MORGAN EASTWOOD image RACHEL OLSSON
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n a world where cultural, historical and geographic differences often divide people, art has the power to unite and empower generation after generation. The Sabado Art Studio, Gallery and Boutique, whose mission statement is to “beautify and educate,” has been at the forefront of Maui’s art scene, creating art that conveys the essence of Hawaiian culture. The Sabado brand is comprised of paintings by Philip Sabado, a world-renowned fine artist who embodies the spirit and history of the Hawaiian Islands and his life-long love of nature. Alongside Philip’s work are the paintings of his son, Erin Sabado, whose background in both fine art and artist representation have helped to garner the brand’s welldeserved respect. To accompany the visuals of each historical portrait are written stories by Christine Sabado, Erin’s mother and Philip’s wife, whose mana‘o—her written stories—ensure that each piece of art is conveyed in the way the artist imagined it. With gallery-boutique hybrids in Wailuku, Wailea and at the Westin Nanea in Kā‘anapali, the Sabado family has established themselves as an ‘ohana operation legacy within Maui’s art scene. “We all have our part in
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this,” Christine says, “and we’ve grown. That’s a little overwhelming at times, but it’s a good thing.” Philip’s paintings are classic, yet contemporary, and decorous but unpredictable. The timeless pieces depict ancient Hawaiian history, with themes of Hawaiian deities, ‘āina, mana and more. Hues of green, teal, crimson and magenta fill the canvas with scenes one sees on Maui’s landscape but with a contemporary twist. Ti leaves, which hold a significant place in Philip’s artistic sphere, are seen in many of his paintings. “That’s my Makua, my mother ti leaf. I started planting ti leaves, and every morning I wake up and look at them. I see the beautiful colors that come out of them. And it just makes me feel great as an artist, to be able to see nature at its best early in the morning, seeing the colors of the sea.” His process comes naturally to him as if presented by Madame Pele, the volcano deity, herself. “I’ll just put washes on my canvas, and I’ll wait to see who appears on the canvas. It’s like watching clouds. You look at clouds and suddenly, there’s a bird; or there’s a person; or there’s a bear in the cloud. I do the same thing with my canvas.”