Hawaii (a.k.a. Old Hawaii)

John Melville Kelly

A Hawaiian fisherman inspects his outrigger canoe on a beach, his 'Wa'a Kaukahi' has a single hull and an outrigging stablizer, called an "ama" which is located on the left side of the vessel to keep it balanced and keep it from capsizing as the fisherman plies all his/her skills while fishing in the sea.

Hawaiian fishermen use these outrigger canoes (wa?a) by taking advantage of the ama (outrigger float) to maintain stability in rough ocean swells while operating a nimble, human-powered vessel. This platform allows fishermen to navigate nearshore reefs, drop deep-sea lines, and troll for pelagic fish in the water colummns off shore.

By the 1930s John Kelly considered himself a Hawaiian, identifying with the peace and beauty of the islands after having originally moved there temporarily on a commission in 1923. Printmaking, as well, was new to him, having trained in painting and only learning the etching medium after his wife, Kate, began taking courses in the technique herself. It would prove to be Kelly’s most sought-after work and tie him indelibly to the land and the printmaking world.