Page 5 - MidWeek East - June 22, 2022

JUNE 22, 2022 5
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small second-floor gallery in Kaimukī many years ago. To Joyce Okano, noted art col- lector and Kāhala resident, that sign ushered her into a decadeslong friendship and business relationship with Hamilton Kobayashi, the shop’s owner, who was both a framer and artist.
BY MARYANNE LONG
A Tribute To The Late Artist Hamilton Kobayashi
she questioned him about natural beauty of his beloved its doors eight years ago. By but one thing makes him so some dusty paintings on the Hawai‘i through photographs, then, Kobayashi had become remarkable. He never once side wall of his studio, he dis- books, Faye’s snapshots and increasingly accomplished complained about his health missed them as “just nothing.” from his memory. and prolific, and his work or physical pain. He was a
obayashi’s Art Enterprise” was the sign on a
Says Okano, “I was imme- diately drawn to Hamilton’s friendly, humble demeanor. I had recently started collecting local art and began reframing my artwork with him, but was soon purchasing more through him.”
Encouraged by Okano to return to painting, Kobayashi did a set of paintings for her. They were so impressive, even “magical,” in Okano’s eyes, that she brought them to the gallery of Satoru Abe.
mentioned his ailments.
“He even had difficulty de- ciphering some colors,” says Okano. “One day, I saw green in the sky of his latest paint- ing. I asked, ‘Why is the sky green?’ He replied in pidgin, ‘What? It’s green? Hoo, that
His work became increas- ingly sought after. One gal- lery owner said he could sell more of his paintings if Ko- bayashi would please paint Diamond Head. He refused — he would not compromise on his vision of his art.
I leave the final words of this tribute to the venerable artist Abe: “Hamilton Ko- bayashi was a talented artist;
Upon graduating, Ko- bayashi married Faye Taka- zawa. Later, to support his wife and three children, he gave up painting and started the frame shop.
The late Hamilton Kobayashi (1951-2022)
PHOTO COURTESY HERB HONG
Like Faye, his granddaugh- ter, Cassady, grew in her in- volvement, such as correcting colors and cutting canvases. His family became an exten- sion of his eyes and limbs.
was exhibited in places in- cluding Japanese Cultural Center, O‘ahu Country Club, Abe’s gallery, Chanel in Waikīkī and more.
gentle man, kind man and spoke with a smile. He will be truly missed.”
MaryAnne Long is an art- ist, art instructor, art collec- tor and curator. Reach her at malong@hawaii.rr.com or longlostart.weebly.com.
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Says Okano, “Satoru was very surprised, as he didn’t know Hamilton had even be- gun painting and he had been encouraging him, too.”
Faye neva tell me!’”
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She began to learn more about him and found that he had graduated from Universi- ty of Hawai‘i at Mānoa with a degree in fine art. Yet, when
Kobayashi suffered from multiple health issues. Yet, he was known to be cheerful and never ever complained or
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