Award winning wood lathe artist Kelly Dunn lives on the north end of the Big Island of Hawaii. Kelly specializes in woods grown on the Big Island. He creates bowls, hollow vessels and art forms full time for art galleries and private collectors.
With the creative influences of his artistic family around him, Kelly built tree houses as a child, had his first poem published at age 16 and won his first award for sculpture at 18.
He says of himself “I have an intense curiosity as to the workings of the universe and the mechanical and spiritual wherewithal that makes it function. I always hope to grow in my art as the evolution of my talent allows me.”
Kelly specializes in Hawaii’s woods. Working with both native and introduced species, he highlights the beauty of each tree. With the raw log, he determines what will showcase that particular piece of wood.
Traditional Hawaiian forms have been a main focus for Kelly. After 30 years, he still considers himself a student of the umeke and calabash. He incorporates traditional patchwork into his work as needed.
Hawi, HI
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