An accomplished artist in her own right, Kate Kelly was an invaluable force behind the enduring renown of her artist husband, John Kelly. Read the full article from Halekulani: Living, the official storytelling source for guests of Halekulani Hotel.
Blog
Honoring John Kelly on His Birthday
John embraced a cowboy spirit, and throughout his life, was often seen sporting a kerchief in tribute to his roots.
Read MorePālolo Valley Inspiration
Kate Kelly often visited her friends who lived in Palolo, a valley area less than a mile from Diamond Head on Oʻahu, which was also an inspiration for John’s art.
Read MoreJohn Kelly's Commentary on War, 1942
In the 1940s, John was commissioned by the Navy to produce a poster to encourage Hawaiian men to join the war effort. The Navy rejected this version.
Read MoreFishermen in the Kellys' Neighborhood
In the Kellys' 1930s Black Point neighborhood, some of the people the family had the most interactions with were the local Hawaiian fishermen from the nearby fishing villages, who were their friends and frequent models.
Read MoreMemories of Mapala: John Kelly Jr.'s Writings of His Kanaka Teacher
John Kelly Jr. writes about Mapala, his Hawaiian kupuna and adopted grandfather, who taught him about the sea.
Read MoreHow the Kellys Were Connected with the Baha'i Faith
John and Kate Kelly’s fascination with the Baha’i Faith, which preaches peace and the unity of mankind, and the art that arose from it.
Read MoreJohn and Kate Kelly: The Early Period
1926, John and Kate Kelly's etchings were exhibited for the first time at H.W. Wichman and Co. Here is a newspaper clipping and some of the works from that early time period, when the two artists were just beginning to exhibit.
Read MoreJohn Kelly's Bodhisattvas
John Kelly created several detailed and technically difficult Bodhisattva etchings near the end of his life, in the late 1950s. This “Asian period” is probably the least well-known of John’s work, but the results were particularly spectacular.
Read MoreOld Kalama and the Kellys
The Hawaiian Kahuna Lāʻau Lapaʻau known as Old Kalama has been immortalized in several photographs and etchings by John and Kate Kelly.
Read MoreThe Iconic Miniature Bronze Works of Kate Kelly
Kate Kelly was the first to popularize small replicas of hula dancers and lei makers, which became iconic souvenirs of Hawaii.
Read MoreHistorical Plaques by Kate Kelly
The lasting legacy of Kate Kelly includes several historical plaques erected around the islands.
Read MoreA Treasure Trove of Photographs
We are currently digitizing hundreds of extraordinary photographs of Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian people) taken by Kate Kelly from 1920-1940.
Read MoreThe Tale of the 'Wolves of Waikiki'
In the 1950s, John Kelly sketched this humorous self-portrait of himself and one of his good buddies.
Read MoreKate Kelly’s sculpture, etchings and amazing photographs presented for the first time!
Extraordinary photographs of Native Hawaiians in the 1920’s through the 1940’s soon to be revealed for the first time.
Read MoreTHE DUET PROJECT: Etchings & Photos Paired in Unique Offering
Film director Robert Bates represents a discreet offering of four sets of Kate’s photographs and the corresponding etching by John.
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