HPR reporter Noe Tanigawa’s paintings featured in art show

You’ve likely encountered Noe Tanigawa before, if you live in Hawaii, even if you didn’t realize it. She’s a sultry, soothing voice on Hawai`i Public Radio, whose award-winning segments cover art, culture, and ideas. That same voice has been hired for recordings and announcements by an impressive roster of big clients: Sheraton Hotels, Kaiser Permanente, Continental Airlines, Marc Resorts, Bank of Hawai’i, Shiseido Hawai’i, Hilo Hattie, Ashley Furniture Homestore, and others. She currently hosts a radio program for Hawaiian Airlines.

What you might not realize is that her journalistic work is informed by her passion for art. Tanigawa holds a Masters degree in painting from UH Mānoa and furthered her study during a 2015 residency with the U.S. Art in Embassies program in Palau.

Noe Tanigawa’s paintings on the wall at Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii’s Fifth Avenue Club on Three. Courtesy: Noe Tanigawa

Always active in her practice, Tanigawa unveils a gorgeous new collection of paintings at at Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii’s Fifth Avenue Club on 3, at Waikiki’s revamped International Marketplace.

Noe Tanigawa’s paintings on the wall at Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii’s Fifth Avenue Club on Three. Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii

“There are large paintings about the ocean- especially my precious Ka ‘Iwi coast. They are oil, encaustic and aerosol on Lutrador, a permanent artist’s support that looks like rice paper. I like it because light can pass through and bounce off the wall behind or something; it gives a brightened effect,” Tanigawa describes of her favorites.

Noe Tanigawa’s paintings on the wall at Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii’s Fifth Avenue Club on Three. Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii

Her aesthetic varies greatly, though. She continues explaining what kinds of pieces are on view: “There’s a new series of encaustic on mahogany. Encaustic is an ancient method of painting using molten wax. You can apply translucent layers of color and carve it back and stuff. There are a few like that in the show, pretty 3D.”

Tanigawa liked working with wax. She’s added new pieces that are solid matte black wax on mahogany (“wax allows a super matte black”) and a couple paintings using “new beeswax from Kahakuloa that is so golden handsome.”

Noe Tanigawa’s paintings on the wall at Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii’s Fifth Avenue Club on Three. Courtesy: Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii

Most of the work is abstract, inspired by reality, but exploring color and form more than a literal image. However, in a nod to those who need to see a recognizable shape (Me! I’m so gauche.), there are three paintings in a lotus garden. “These are just to make you feel you are there,” Tanigawa mentions. 

View Tanigawa’s show at Saks Fifth Avenue Hawaii’s Fifth Avenue Club on 3. The gallery space is on the first floor, oceanside. “Saks Art On The Avenue featuring Noe Tanigawa” runs from August 3 to September 5, 2017. 

More at http://www.noetanigawa.com.

Author(s) on this Post

Diane Ako

Peace of mind By Diane Ako I like to reflect on life. Sometimes it’s philosophically. Sometimes it’s humorously. For all its beauty, life is far too difficult a journey to take alone. You need the support and connection with others to help carry you along the way. Writing brings me that connection– within and without. It clarifies my thoughts and feelings. It helps me reach out to others for advice, wisdom, or feedback. Your thoughts become your actions. Your actions become you. A wise yogi- Patanjali- said, “Speak what is true. Speak what is pleasant.” Let’s speak of things pleasant to one another and seek some peace of mind along the way. ABOUT Diane Ako joined Hawaii: In Real Life in October 2016. She likes being part of a community of local bloggers – people who like writing and sharing, like she does. Ako is an anchor/ reporter at Island News (KITV4 – ABC) in Honolulu. She previously anchored and reported at KHON2 (FOX) and KHNL (NBC), and at stations in California, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. She freelance writes for NMG Network's magazines. In between news jobs, in 2017, she launched and ran her own p.r. company, Diane Ako PR. From 2010-2014, she headed the public relations department at Halekulani Corporation, which oversees luxury resort Halekulani and boutique hotel Waikiki Parc. She’s been blogging since 2009 – before Hawaii: IRL, she wrote for The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the state’s largest daily newspaper, where her stories garnered a dozen journalism awards and an Emmy nomination. Ako has a BA in Communications from Menlo College and an MA in Political Science from University of Hawaii at Manoa. She volunteers as a board member of the Honolulu Gay & Lesbian Cultural Foundation, a Shinto shrine maiden at Daijingyu Temple, a citizen-scientist studying shrimp, and a yoga teacher at a senior center.

Diane Ako has 274 posts and counting. See all posts by Diane Ako

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