Mauna 'Uhane - Mid Century Modern Surrealist Hawaiian Visionary Art by Marguerite Blasingame

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Hawaiian Symbolism Figurative & Landscape Oil painting of Mauna Uhane (Mountain Spirit)

Symbolic and surreal landscape with a figure of … Read more Hawaiian Symbolism Figurative & Landscape Oil painting of Mauna Uhane (Mountain Spirit)

Symbolic and surreal landscape with a figure of spirit ascending stairway onto path that leads to snow-capped mountains by Marguerite Louis Blasingame (American; 1906-1947), circa 1940-45. A staircase often symbolizes progress, growth, and transition. Climbing up the stairs can represent moving forward in life, personal development, or spiritual ascension. Misty pale landscape in pastel hues and shades make for a peaceful, contemplative painting.

Marguerite and her husband Frank Blasingame were two of five artists in Hawaii during the early thirties that delved into the Polynesian history and traditions and their island symbolism, all the works are signed only Blasingame during their marriage.

Signed "Blasingame" lower right corner;
from a collection of her work.
Unframed.
Condition: Professionally cleaned and UV varnished.
Image, 32"H x 25"W.

Born in Honolulu and trained at Stanford University in California, Marguerite Blasingame was among the artists in Hawaii who, before World War II, experimented with decorative patterns using natural forms, especially tropical foliage and flowers and used stylized imagery of Hawaiian figures. She was an American sculptor and painter and she was a member of the Hawaiian Mural Guild. Her work is in many locations in Hawaii including the Honolulu Academy, Library of Hawaii and Ala Moana Park.

She was born Marguerite Louis in Honolulu in 1906. She graduated from the University of Hawaii and then went on to earn an M. A. in art from Stanford University in 1928. Marguerite returned to Hawaii, where she became an established sculptor of figural works, many of them bas-reliefs in wood and stone. Her depictions were usually sinuous in contour with simplified anatomy. During the Great Depression she was a Works Progress Administration artist and filled many commissions for architectural panels and Bas-relief wood sculptures. Blasingame also painted in a symbolist style and was a member of the Hawaiian Mural Guild. She authored A Course in Art Appreciation for the Adult Layman, which was published by Stanford University Press. Marguerite Louis Blasingame died in 1947 while traveling in Mexico. One of her wooden sculptures is installed in the John Dominis and Patches Damon Holt Gallery of the Honolulu Museum of Art. Other sculptures in public places includes an untitled 1935 marble sculpture in Ala Moana Park, Honolulu, Hawaii and Hawaiian Decagonal Fountain (1934–1935) at Kawananakoa School, Honolulu, Hawaii. See less