John and Kate lived far from the city, near an active fishing community where they became close friends with many of their neighbors. Kate’s photographs skillfully capture the lives and culture of these communities in a rapidly changing world, while John immortalized their friends and acquaintances in his art. Kate, an accomplished sculptor and gifted photographer, created rare and highly treasured bronzed busts of Hawaiian people. Her photographs not only inspired many of John’s etchings but also offer profound insights into life in Hawaiʻi during those pivotal decades.
This very special and unique pair of watercolor paintings, done in the 1950s, are works by John Melville Kelly premiered at the Downtown Art Center exhibit in August 2021. They represent a wide range of ethnicities passing through Waikiki in extraordinary detail and brilliant color. Each is 40” long. While the originals are not for sale, high-quality 10” x 20” giclee prints are available as a set for $300. Please contact kellyarthawaii@gmail.com if you are interested in purchasing!
