The art is the message

Kenji DuBois Lee’s most recent art work is a study in contrasts that he says represents his vision of individuals and communities. In the pieces on display at Paccini tonight, Lee frames sweeping strokes and contrasting colors in pieces of curly koa, a native Hawaiian wood.

“I just like to get my hands dirty and the feel of the stroke of the paintbrush,” Lee said.

The art was created as homage to his home state of Hawaii, which he left in 2003 for Portland and Portland State. All of the art will be for sale at tonight’s event, which starts at 6 p.m. in Paccini Restaurant and Bar, located on the ground level of the Vue apartment complex. A bibliography of articles and books that influenced Lee’s work will be on display nearby.

“This show is about transformation and growth, people and their groups,” Lee said.

Lee, 22 and a senior at PSU, was born on the island of Oahu, but has been taking classes at Portland State since fall 2003. While studying human psychology and the Japanese language, he said, he began to understand people through linguistics and behavior. What shaped his artistic style, he said, was landing opportunities such as painting the mural on the east, west and south sides of the Cheerful Tortoise tavern, as well as art and graphic design classes at PSU.

“I love spray paint, and I am sharpening my digital skills,” Lee said.

Drawing from his island upbringing and his study of Western society, he said, he is trying to convey a message of respect for all cultures. In college, he said, he has learned how people live both as individuals and in communities. Through that experience he discovered that he must give back to his culture, Lee said.

Lee said he is using this show, called NativeNation, as a pathway for giving back to his roots. Proceeds from two of the 10 paintings for sale will benefit the Peter Papworth Scholarship of the Hawaiian Community Foundation. Lee, who was awarded the Papworth scholarship when he graduated from high school, said the scholarship helped make it possible for him to come to PSU.

Paccini often holds similar events to NativeNation. The owner of Paccini, Jason Kallingal, said he has been trying to use his restaurant, which he opened in 2005, to display the talent of the PSU campus by featuring student artists and musicians. He said the PSU Pacific Islanders club recently had their Luau Night at Paccini. Born and raised in Guam, Kallingal came to Portland in 2000.

“We share an understanding of island life–not to mention culture,” Kallingal said of Lee.