Critic's Choice

Mini-reviews of current exhibits

By Advertiser Art Critic
Virginia Wageman

A Printmaker in Paradise: The Life and Art of Charles W. Bartlett (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through Jan. 6, 532-8700): A master of the Japanese ukiyo-e style of printmaking, Bartlett lived in Honolulu from 1917 until his death 23 years later. He was instrumental in founding the Honolulu Printmakers organization. This important survey of his career includes the prints for which he is best known, as well as paintings and watercolors.

Remains of a Rainbow (Honolulu Academy of Arts, through Dec. 30, 532-8700): Incredible photos of Hawai'i's endangered plants and animals by the acclaimed photographic team of David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton. They spent five years documenting rare species in intimate and dramatic close-ups.

Madge Tennent and Chris Campbell (Cedar Street Galleries, through Sunday, 589-1580): A rare opportunity to see paintings, drawings and prints by Tennent (1889i1972), whose subject was Hawaiian women, whom she portrayed as graceful and dignified. Campbell — in her unromanticized, straightforward portraits of Hawaiian women — today expresses the spirit that so engaged Tennent.

Robert Kushner (Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Center, through Wednesday, 526-1322): Kushner works with a bold, bright palette, adding metallic leaf and glitter to further spark his wild colors and patterns. His subject is flowers of Hawai'i. Ginger, plumeria, hibiscus, heliconia and other blossoms are painted in a semi-abstract manner over exuberant abstract backgrounds.