Esther Hi’ilani Candari was born to a mixed Asian American family and raised on the beautiful eastern shore of Oahu, Hawai'i. As an artist, her work reflects this rich multicultural upbringing and often draws upon Polynesian symbols and cultural idealogies. Her work is primarily figurative and explores concepts such as; multiracial identity; gender and the female gaze in context of religion; and the nuance of human psychology that can be expressed through portraiture. Many of her portraits break the fourth wall with their direct gaze and challenge the viewer to engage with the subject on an intimate level, rather than merely observe. The foundations of her painting techniques are traditional in nature, but her meticulously crafted multimedia applications infuse the final works with a unique, innovative, and captivating edge.
Her work has been exhibited, purchased, and published in cities across the country including New York, Salt Lake City, and San Francisco. She currently lives in central Virginia with her husband, two guinea pigs, and an ever-growing collection of house plants.
Let's work together
email: phone: 808.726.1006
CURRICULUM VITAE
EDUCATION:
Masters of Fine Arts , (Projected 2020)
Emphasis in Painting
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
Summer Undergraduate Residency, July 2017
New York Academy of Art, New York City, New York
Bachelors of Fine Arts, June 2017
Painting & Sculpture Emphasis, Photography Certificate
Brigham Young University Hawaii, Laie, Hawai'i
WORK EXPERIENCE:
August 2019 - Present
Adjunct Instructor of Art
Southern Virginia University, Buena Vista, Virginia
December 2019 - Present
Council Member
Buena Vista Arts Council, Buena Vista, Virginia
February 2019 - July 2019
Assistant Registrar
The Fralin Museum of Art
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
November 2017 - July 2019
Artist in Residence
Center for Multicultural Enrichment
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
June 2017 - August 2017
Artist's Assistant
Joseph Brickey
Beaux-Arts Academy, Provo, Utah
August 2017 - March 2019
Graduate Assistant to the Director
Office of Equity and Inclusion
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
December 2016 - June 2017
Teaching & Lab Assistant for Beginning and Figurative Painting
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
January 2017 - May 2017
Art and Art History Instructor for Grades K-12
Harmony Educational Services
June 2015 - December 2016
Teaching & Lab Assistant for Figurative Sculpture
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
August 2016 - Present
Private Art Instructor
Kaneohe, Hawai'i
June 2012 - Present
Portrait and Event Photographer
Amherst, Virginia
RECOGNITIONS & AWARDS:
2017 - Present
Honor Society Member
Zeta Chi
2016 - Present
Honor Society Member
Phi Kappa Phi
2019
Student Thesis Research Grant
Center for Research and Scholarship
Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia
Institute of Classical Art and Architecture 1st Place Award
"Dialogue" Feature Artist Award
Jury Honorable Mention
Zion Art Society
"Certain Women: Statements of Purpose" Invitational Exhibit
Honorable Mention
Alliance of Covenant Artists
Fall Symposium of Fine Art and Faith
2018
Exhibition Finalist
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
11th Triennial International Art Competition
Top 40 Exhibition Finalist
XL Catlin Art Prize Exhibition
Peer Award Scholarship
Vision of the Arts Scholarship
2017
First Place for Fine Arts
Kula Manu Literary Journal Juried Art Competition
Department Merit Scholarship
Brigham Young University Hawai'i
2015-2016
University Honor Roll
Brigham Young University Hawai'i
2015
First Place for Cover Art
Kula Manu Literary Journal Juried Art Competition
Second Place for Fine Arts
Kula Manu Literary Journal Juried Art Competition
EXHIBITIONS:
2020
A Girl's Guide to Heavenly Mother - An Exhibition
Writ and Vision Gallery, Provo, Utah
2019
Buena Vista Arts Council Holiday Exhibition
BVAC Center, Buena Vista, Virginia
Certain Women - Zion Art Society Invitational
Anthony's Fine Art and Antiques, Salt Lake City, Utah
Certain Women - Zion Art Society Invitational
Anthony's Fine Art and Antiques, Salt Lake City, Utah
Zeta Chi Juried Art Show
Academy Center of the Arts, Lynchburg, Virginia
Meditations on Belief - 11th Triennial International Art Competition
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Church History Museum, Salt Lake City, Utah
2018
XL Catlin Art Prize Exhibit
San Fransisco Art Institute, San Fransisco, California
Linda Warren Projects, Chicago, Illinois
New York Academy of Art, New York City, New York
African American History Month Exhibit
Center for Multicultural Enrichment, Liberty University, Virginia
2017
Summer Undergraduate Residency Curated Final Exhibit
New York Academy of Art, New York City, New York
Greater than Rubies: Solo BFA Exhibition
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
Risen: Figure Painting Easter Exhibit
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
2016
Explorations - Advanced Painting Group Exhibit
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
Vulnerable: A solo sculpture show
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
Reflections: Figure Painting Self Portrait Exhibit
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
PRESENTATIONS:
2017
An Alternative Approach to Feminism Through Art
Undergraduate Research Conference
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
2016
The Academics of Art
Undergraduate Research Conference
Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
ASSISTANT WORK:
2018
Christus Mural
Joseph Brickey
Monumental Oil on Canvas Mural
LDS Temple Visitor's Center, Rome, Italy
2016
The Royal Family
Asipeli Viliami Toluta'u
Permanent Sculpture
Waikiki International Marketplace, Honolulu Hawai'i
Portrait of King Siaosi Tupuo II of Tonga
Asipeli Viliami Toluta'u
Permanent Sculpture
Tonga Mission Centennial Memorial, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
PUBLICATIONS & COLLECTIONS:
2020
Makua
"A Girl's Guide to Heavenly Mother" by McArthur Krishna
Deseret Book Publishing, Salt Lake City, Utah
2018
All I Ask
Motherhood
Santa Clara Review, Literary Journal, Santa Clara University, California
2017
Enlightened
David O. McKay Library, Brigham Young University Hawai'i, Laie, Hawai'i
2016
Lower Lights
Ka Pohaku
Colors of Courage
Painting Life
Kula Manu Literary Journal Competition, Brigham Young University Hawai'i
Ka Pohaku
Collection of John S. Tanner, President, Brigham Young University Hawai'i
2015
Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?
Hawaii Ku'u Ipo
Sepia Samoa
Point of View
Kula Manu Literary Journal Competiton, Brigham Young University Hawai'i
2013
Wallflower
Life in Black and White
The Artist
Kula Manu Literary Journal Competition, Brigham Young University Hawai'i