2011
artist in residence

ABOUT THE ARTIST — PATRICK DOUGHERTY

Combining carpentry skills with a love of nature, North Carolina-based Patrick Dougherty began learning about primitive building techniques and experimenting with tree saplings as construction material in 1980. Small works and single pieces on conventional pedestals soon grew into monumental site-specific installations that required sticks by the truckload. To date Patrick has built over 200 such massive sculptures all over the world and received numerous awards, including a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant and NEA Fellowship. Princeton Architectural Press published a major survey of Patrick and his work in a 2009 book entitled Stickwork.

Mahalo Nui Loa

This groundbreaking Hui project would not have been possible without the help of a strong community of inspired supporters, including nearly 200 volunteers who helped harvest materials and create the sculpture; more than 100 donors through our Kickstarter campaign, “Raise the Paddle” auction at Art Affair 2011, the Laila-Twigg Smith Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, and other individual gifts; participants of the artist talk, panel discussion, school visits, special events and program-related workshops; collaborators at MISC and DLNR; and everyone who shared this sculpture with their friends and family! Mahalo! 

About the Sculpture - “On the Wild Side”

The Hui was tremendously proud to work with world-renowned environmental sculptor Patrick Dougherty for a September 2011 residency. During his 3-week stay, the artist worked directly with the community to develop, plan and create a site-specific installation using saplings of invasive and non-native tree species. The final sculpture entitled “On the Wild Side” provided a treasured space for people of all ages to gather and enjoy this incredible structure made from natural materials. The sculpture aimed to cultivate community and raise awareness about Hawai‘i’s endangered ecosystems by inspiring conversation, encouraging public participation, and creating fellowship between artists and environmentalists.

“On the Wild Side” was created primarily with strawberry guava (along with eucalyptus and white ash). According to the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), strawberry guava is one of the most damaging invasive plants in the state, having no natural enemies or competitors in all of Hawai’i. The 10-30 foot tall trees leave a sea of red fruits and seeds that are ingested by birds, boar and other animals and dispersed throughout forest areas. It forms dense thickets replacing native Hawaiian plants, and damages the watershed services that diverse forests provide. One of our goals for using strawberry guava is to work with organizations like MISC to help raise awareness in the larger community about Hawai‘i’s endangered ecosystems.

The Hui’s Stickwork sculpture “On the Wild Side” brought our whole community a tremendous amount of joy since its construction in September 2011. It provided a place for everyone in our community to gather and play. Time and weather eventually took their toll; with heavy hearts, the Hui began to remove areas of the sculpture that had partially collapsed in March 2015. “On the Wild Side” exceeded the typical 3 year lifespan for Stickwork and offered many opportunities to experience and share the work of art with family, friends and community. We thank all who participated in and enjoyed this incredible project!

thank you!