For the last nine years, Padilla has been toiling with the notion of the complexity in simple actions, and how knowledge and insight is developed through repetition and practice. His sculpture series “knots” is based on childhood memories of learning how to tie fishing hooks from his father. “This is how you do it, now practice.’ he would say. And I would do it over and over, hundreds of times, until it became muscle memory. Until I could do it with my eyes closed. Until the obtuse and complex became clear and simple.”
Knots by Aaron Padilla, 2011, Wood
(located on a pedestal between the chair seatings in lobby closest to the floor to ceiling windows)
These knot sculptures are created with dimensional lumber that is cut into angled segments, and then glued back together to form compound curves. The surface is sanded and polished to create an effect that the rigid material is pliable and tied.
Aaron Padilla is an artist based in Honolulu Hawaii who works in a wide range of media and techniques. He is motivated by design and form and is interested in emphasizing the importance of the unapparent, mundane, and pedestrian. His work can be found in the collections of FENDI Foundation, Hawaii State Foundation for Culture and the Arts, The Halekulani, St. Regis Princeville, Hokua Towers, One Ala Moana, Park Lane, The Plaza Club, Bank of Hawaii, and private collections here in Hawaii, California, Washington, New York, Japan, and London. In addition to his studio practice, Padilla is an art educator and has taught studio art at a number of institutions including University of Hawaii Manoa, Our Redeemer Schools, Waipahu Elementary School, Ala Wai and Koko Head Community Parks, Honolulu Museum of Art School, Hawaii Potters Guild, and Sacred Hearts Academy. Padilla is currently the Director of Learning and Engagement at the Honolulu Museum of Art, overseeing all educational and public programming, as well as the museum’s popular Art School.
