Studio Visit with Wood Sculptor & TCM Member, Ron Kent: Part 1

Recently, some TCM staff visited local artist Ron Kent, who is also a long-time member of the museum. Ron is known for his eggshell-thin, bowl-formed vessels, which were meticulously lathe produced. His work has been shown in major museums around the world and has even found its way into the private collections of notable celebrities such as musician John Denver and funny woman Whoopi Goldberg. So, we were just thrilled when Ron allowed us to interview him and then gave us a tour of his studio and home.

In his studio, Ron discussed wood turning and sculpture in contemporary art with Tegan Hammond (TCM Assistant Educator), Courtney Biggs (Exhibitions Assistant), and Christine Feldman (Benchmark Event Co-Chair). During the visit, Tegan recorded video interviews with Christine and Ron talking about his latest project and with Courtney about how the role of wood objects fit in the realm of contemporary art.

In his home, he pointed out work from his early career as an artist. Resting in a corner of a large sun-filled room, bottles that were produced thirty five years ago were arranged like pins patiently waiting for someone to bowl a strike.

At one point, as Ron talked about his egg sculptures also carved earlier in his career, he thoughtfully explained in a joking manner how many had been drawn to these pieces and that the behavior could probably be described as Freudian.

Among Ron's collection, there were a couple of objects that were made partly of fine Japanese paper rather than entirely of wood, including a floor to ceiling-length lantern, originally designed to be a model of a Zeppelin. He was also very proud to share a tall wooden vessel that evoked the feeling of a vortex when peering down into its opening.

Additionally, Ron is one of twenty local artists, who have been asked to design and construct benches for the upcoming TCM event, Benchmark, which will feature his bench along with the others for purchase and auction.

We were lucky enough to have a first-hand look at the bench. He even gave us a demonstration on how the color and detail of the finish in the wood was produced by utilizing a blow torch and applying wood oil.

Look for all of the artists’ benches, including Ron’s, around the Honolulu community from September 14 through October 14, 2008 and on view at the TCM Makiki Heights location for one week, October 18 through October 26, 2008.