# Arthur Johnsen

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{{Short description|American painter}}
{{Infobox artist
| honorific_prefix          =
| name                      = Arthur Johnsen
| honorific_suffix          =
| image                     = <!-- use the image's pagename; do not include the "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and do not use brackets-->
| image_size                =
| alt                       =
| caption                   =
| native_name               =
| native_name_lang          =
| birth_name                = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date                = {{Birth date|1952|08|27}}
| birth_place               = [Oahu, Hawaii](/source/Oahu%2C_Hawaii)
| death_date                = {{Death date and age|2015|11|15|1952|08|27}}
| death_place               = [Hilo, Hawaii](/source/Hilo%2C_Hawaii)
| resting_place             =
| resting_place_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|type:landmark|display=inline}} -->
| education                 =
| alma_mater                = [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley)
| known_for                 = [Hawaiiana](/source/Hawaiiana)<br>Hawaiian landscapes<br>Paintings of the [Red Road](/source/Red_Road_(Hawaii))
| notable_works             = ''The Goddess Pele''
| style                     = Impressionism
| movement                  =
| spouse                    =
| partner                   =
| awards                    = <!-- {{awd|award|year|title|role|name}} (optional) -->
| elected                   =
| patrons                   =
| memorials                 =
| website                   = [https://www.facebook.com/arthur.johnsen.90 Remembering Arthur Johnsen]
| module                    = 
}}
'''Arthur Johnsen''' (August 27, 1952 – November 15, 2015)<ref name="memorium">{{cite web |title=In Memorium Arthur Johnsen |url=https://www.ehcc.org/content/memoriam-arthur-johnsen |website=[East Hawaii Cultural Center](/source/East_Hawaii_Cultural_Center) |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Bob |title=Arthur Johnsen August 27, 1952 - November 15, 2015 |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214382003134745&set=p.10214382003134745 |website=Remembering Arthur Johnsen |publisher=[Facebook](/source/Facebook) |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=November 15, 2017}}</ref> was an American artist. Born and raised on [Oahu](/source/Oahu) and living most of his post-university life on the [Big Island of Hawaii](/source/Big_Island_of_Hawaii), he is known for his impressionistic paintings and murals of [Hawaiiana](/source/Hawaiiana).

He is best known internationally for his 2003 painting of the volcano goddess [Pele](/source/Pele_(deity)), which was chosen from more than 140 entries to represent the goddess at the [Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park](/source/Hawai%CA%BBi_Volcanoes_National_Park), and is on display at the main visitor center there. He is also known for his Hawaiian landscape paintings, including those of the rural tree-lined coastal [Red Road](/source/Hawaii_Route_137) in [Lower Puna](/source/Puna%2C_Hawaii).

==Life and career==
Johnsen was born in [Hawaii](/source/Hawaii) on the island of [Oahu](/source/Oahu),<ref name="WinningVision">{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Rod |title=Winning vision of Pele an unusual take |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/08/15/news/index8.html |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |work=[Honolulu Star-Bulletin](/source/Honolulu_Star-Bulletin) |date=August 15, 2003}}</ref><ref name="memorium"/><ref name="fresh">{{cite news |title=Fresh face put on volcano park |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2003/Aug/16/ln/ln20a.html |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |work=[The Honolulu Advertiser](/source/The_Honolulu_Advertiser) |date=August 16, 2003}}</ref><ref name="NewPele">{{cite news |title=New Pele Painting Selected For Kilauea Visitor Center |url=https://www.nps.gov/havo/news/pr_20030814.htm |work=[Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park](/source/Hawai'i_Volcanoes_National_Park) |date=August 14, 2003 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031016162643/https://www.nps.gov/havo/news/pr_20030814.htm |archivedate=October 16, 2003}}</ref> and attended [Punahou High School](/source/Punahou_High_School), graduating in 1970.<ref>{{cite news |title=Alumni Notes |url=https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1516652273/punahou/pd3ytobnugstem7uxxp9/v63-4_Summer2017AlumniNotes.pdf#page=19 |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |publisher=[Punahou High School](/source/Punahou_High_School) |date=Summer 2017 |page=76}}</ref><ref name=about>{{cite web |title=About the artist |url=http://www.arthurjohnsen.net:80/about |website=ArthurJohnsen.net |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100404063316/http://www.arthurjohnsen.net/about |archivedate=April 4, 2010 |access-date=May 27, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He studied graphic design at the [University of California, Berkeley](/source/University_of_California%2C_Berkeley), graduating in 1974.<ref name=resume>{{cite web |title=Arthur Johnsen, artist |url=http://artjohnsen.tripod.com/resume.html |website=ArtJohnsen.tripod.com |accessdate=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref name=punahou70/><ref name=about/> He returned to Oahu for work and further study,<ref name=punahou70/><ref name=resume/><ref name=about/> lived for a while in [Volcano Village](/source/Volcano_Village) on the Big Island beginning in the late 1970s,<ref name="NewPele"/><ref name="fresh"/> and later spent five years in Los Angeles doing freelance design work in the garment and costume industry.<ref name=punahou70>{{cite web |title=Arthur Johnsen – The Art in Arthur |url=http://punahou70.com/arthur-johnsen-the-art-in-arthur/ |website=Punahou Class of 1970 |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=May 14, 2011}}</ref><ref name=about/><ref name=resume/>

He moved to [Puna](/source/Puna%2C_Hawaii) on the [Big Island of Hawaii](/source/Big_Island_of_Hawaii) in 1989.<ref name="fresh"/><ref name="NewPele"/> He was artist-in-residence at [Kalani Oceanside Retreat](/source/Kalani_Oceanside_Retreat) from 1989 to 1998, and also did fabric design for Kona Village Resort.<ref name="WinningVision"/><ref name=punahou70/><ref name=about/> In 1992 he moved to his own house in the Lower Puna area.<ref name="fresh"/>

His paintings were sold at the ''Ohana o Hawaii'' gallery in [Hilo](/source/Hilo),<ref name="WinningVision"/> and when owner Randy Farias retired in 2005, it was renamed the Arthur Johnsen Gallery under the ownership of Johnsen and a business partner.<ref name=about/> In 2012, Johnsen closed the gallery and moved his paintings to the newly formed One Gallery in Hilo.<ref name=keola>{{cite news |title=Life in Business: One Gallery |url=https://keolamagazine.com/business/life-in-business-one-gallery/ |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |work=Ke Ola Magazine}}</ref>

Johnsen also created murals commissioned by a number of resorts, restaurants, public buildings, and cruise ships throughout the Hawaiian islands.<ref name="WinningVision"/><ref name=keola/><ref name=resume/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Tunsch |first1=Thomas |title=Portion of a 9' tall mural in the lobby/parking garage of the (former) Aston Waikiki Beach Tower, w2000 by Arthur Johnsen |url=https://curiator.com/art/arthur-johnsen/portion-of-a-9-tall-mural-in-the-lobby-parking-garage-of-the-former-as |website=Curiator |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=March 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Wanda A. |title=Cruising with Pride |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jul/11/il/il05a.html |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |work=[Honolulu Advertiser](/source/Honolulu_Advertiser) |date=July 11, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Wanda A. |title=Outta here |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Mar/04/tr/FP703040339.html |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |work=[Honolulu Advertiser](/source/Honolulu_Advertiser) |date=March 4, 2007}}</ref>

His works were exhibited at venues including the [Volcano Art Center](/source/Volcano_Art_Center),<ref>{{cite news |title=Art Calendar |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Feb/28/il/il22a.html |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |work=[Honolulu Advertiser](/source/Honolulu_Advertiser) |date=February 28, 2005}}</ref> [Honolulu Hale](/source/Honolulu_Hale),<ref>{{cite news |title=Art Calendar |url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Mar/06/il/il16a.html |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |work=[Honolulu Advertiser](/source/Honolulu_Advertiser) |date=March 6, 2005}}</ref> and the [East Hawaii Cultural Center](/source/East_Hawaii_Cultural_Center).<ref>{{cite web |title=July–August 2011 Happenings |url=https://issuu.com/keolamagazine/docs/h2011-4/70 |website=Ke Ola Magazine|accessdate=August 31, 2018 |page=71 |date=July–August 2011}}</ref><ref name=about/> In 2013 he was exhibited at the Andrew Rose Gallery in Honolulu, among eleven artists collectively considered the "leading landscape painters from the Islands".<ref>{{cite web |title=Andrew Rose Gallery - Presents 'Contemporary Hawaiian Landscape Painting' |url=http://www.firstfridayhawaii.com/calendar/201304/7679.html |website=First Friday Hawaii |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |date=April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kanai |first1=Maria |title=Canvas Travels |url=https://evols.library.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstream/10524/56569/1/May_8_2013_Vol_23_No_19OCR.pdf |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |work=[Honolulu Weekly](/source/Honolulu_Weekly) |date=May 8–14, 2013 |page=8}}</ref>

A retrospective of his work, in particular his ''[plein air](/source/plein_air)'' impressionistic paintings of vistas of the [Red Road](/source/Hawaii_Route_137) in [Lower Puna](/source/Puna%2C_Hawaii), was presented by the [East Hawaii Cultural Center](/source/East_Hawaii_Cultural_Center) at the Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art from January 3–29, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arthur Johnsen Retrospective |url=https://hawaiimoca.wordpress.com/2014/01/28/arthur-johnsen-retrospective/ |website=Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art |accessdate=28 August 2018 |date=January 28, 2014}}</ref><ref name=RedRoadBook>{{cite web |title=Paintings of the Red Road by Arthur Johnsen |url=http://jhawkinsdesign.com/portfolio/images/print/AJohnson_RedRdBook.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174655/http://jhawkinsdesign.com/portfolio/images/print/AJohnson_RedRdBook.pdf |publisher=EHCC/Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art Publishers |archivedate=August 31, 2018 |date=2014}}</ref> The museum and cultural center published a book of the exhibited works, entitled ''Paintings of the Red Road by Arthur Johnsen''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Book sales benefit Hilo art museum |url=http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2015/11/12/hawaii-news/book-sales-benefit-hilo-art-museum/ |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |work=[Hawaii Tribune-Herald](/source/Hawaii_Tribune-Herald) |date=November 12, 2015}}</ref><ref name=RedRoadBook/>

Some of Johnsen's paintings have been held by Cedar Street Gallery in Honolulu.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arthur Johnsen |url=http://www.cedarstreetgalleries.com/bin/works.cgi?Artist=Johnsen1952-2015Arthur |website=Cedar Street Galleries |accessdate=August 31, 2018}}</ref> As of 2019, some of his paintings were still held at Third Dimension Gallery in [Kohala Coast](/source/Kohala_Coast).<ref>{{cite web |title=Arthur Johnsen |url=http://www.thirddimensiongallery.com/artists/johnsen/index.htm |website=Third Dimension Gallery |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329225524/http://www.thirddimensiongallery.com/artists/johnsen/index.htm |archive-date=March 29, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==''The Goddess Pele''==
In early 2003, the group of [Native Hawaiian](/source/Native_Hawaiian) elders, or kupuna, advising the superintendent of [Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park](/source/Hawai%CA%BBi_Volcanoes_National_Park) on cultural matters were concerned that the painting of the volcano goddess [Pele](/source/Pele_(deity)) in the main visitor center did not portray the goddess in a culturally appropriate manner.<ref name=wright/> The portrayal which had been on display at the center since 1966,<ref name="fresh"/> a 1927 painting by [D. Howard Hitchcock](/source/D._Howard_Hitchcock), pictured Pele as a blonde Caucasian woman.<ref name=wright>{{cite journal |last1=Bernbaum |first1=Edwin |title=The Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Nature in the Management and Governance of Protected Areas |journal=[The George Wright Forum](/source/George_Wright_Society) |date=2017 |volume=34 |issue=2 |pages=171–174 |url=http://www.georgewright.org/342bernbaum.pdf#page=4 |accessdate=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Rendering Pele">{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Rod |title=Rendering Pele |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/07/13/news/story2.html |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |work=[Honolulu Star-Bulletin](/source/Honolulu_Star-Bulletin) |date=July 13, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hawaii Volcanoes |url=https://www.sutori.com/item/a-famous-work-of-art-associated-with-the-hawaii-volcanoes-park-is-a-painting-of |website=Sutori.com |accessdate=August 28, 2018}}</ref><ref name=nimmo>{{cite book |last1=Nimmo |first1=H. Arlo |title=Pele, Volcano Goddess of Hawai'i: A History |date=2011 |publisher=[McFarland](/source/McFarland_%26_Company) |pages=169–170 |isbn=9780786486533 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n2ii6J0C0hYC&pg=PA169}}</ref><ref name="CRM">{{cite journal |last1=Spoon |first1=Jeremy |title=The 'Visions of Pele' Competition and Exhibit at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park |journal=CRM: The Journal of Heritage Stewardship |date=2007 |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=72–74 |url=https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=anth_fac |accessdate=August 28, 2018}}</ref> The Kupuna Committee and the park staff worked with the Sacred Mountains Program of [The Mountain Institute](/source/The_Mountain_Institute), which had funds from the [Ford Foundation](/source/Ford_Foundation), to put out a state-wide call in March 2003 for paintings of Pele which the elders would select from in August of that year.<ref name=wright/><ref name="fresh"/><ref name="NewPele"/><ref name="CRM"/><ref name="Rendering Pele"/> An $8,000 prize for the winning entry was offered.<ref name=wright/><ref name="fresh"/> More than 140 paintings were submitted for the competition.<ref name=wright/><ref name="CRM"/><ref name="fresh"/>

Johnsen's entry, titled ''The Goddess Pele'', was selected in the [blind competition](/source/blinded_experiment) as the winner, as best representing Pele's "deepest cultural meanings".<ref name="fresh"/><ref name="NewPele"/><ref name="CRM"/> It depicts Pele with a serene, compassionate expression and two objects in her hands representing important stories connected with her, against a background of volcanic activity.<ref name=wright/><ref name="WinningVision"/><ref name=nimmo/> Johnsen used a Native Hawaiian as his model,<ref name="CRM"/> and lit her face from below; living near [Kalapana](/source/Kalapana%2C_Hawaii) and having watched many lava flows at night, he knew that lava throws light from below up toward faces.<ref name="WinningVision"/>

The portrayal depicts Pele striding through the lava flow in the forest with her digging staff ''Pāʻoa'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koda |first1=Katalin |title=Pele's Pa'oa: The Power of the Fire Stick |url=http://fireofthegoddess.com/peles-paoa-the-power-of-the-fire-stick/ |website=Fire of the Goddess |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=March 19, 2014}}</ref> which she used for excavating while searching for a home that she finally found at [Halemaʻumaʻu](/source/Halema%CA%BBuma%CA%BBu), in her left hand. Her right hand holds an egg containing her unborn sister goddess [Hiʻiaka](/source/Hi%CA%BBiaka), which she carried on her journey from Tahiti.<ref name=nimmo/><ref name="fresh"/>

The painting represents a more native view of Pele, who is regarded by Native Hawaiians not as a wrathful deity but as a benevolent, life-giving goddess who creates new land with her lava.<ref name=wright/><ref name="Sacred Natural Sites">{{cite book |last1=Wild |first1=Robert |last2=McLeod |first2=Christopher |last3=Valentine |first3=Peter |title=Sacred Natural Sites: Guidelines for Protected Area Managers |date=2008 |publisher=[International Union for Conservation of Nature](/source/International_Union_for_Conservation_of_Nature) |isbn=9782831710396 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2OTEoYdXS3QC&pg=PA25}} Plate 5.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Verschuuren |first1=Bas |title=CSVPA Promotes Cultural and Spiritual Significance of Nature at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawaii |url=https://csvpa.org/2016/08/csvpa-promotes-cultural-and-spiritual-significance-of-nature-at-the-iucn-world-conservation-congress-in-hawaii/ |website=Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas |publisher=[IUCN](/source/International_Union_for_Conservation_of_Nature) World Conservation Congress |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=August 23, 2016}}</ref><ref name=nimmo/> In interviews, Johnsen stated, "I show her with a staff in one hand to represent her as a destroyer, and cradling an egg in the other, representing regeneration and the fact that new life springs up from lava."<ref name="NewPele"/> "It's not all about destruction. The egg is a symbol of regeneration and new life. Lava creates new land as well as it destroys old places."<ref name="WinningVision"/><ref name=nimmo/>

He noted that he had been living in Puna, close to the active lava flows, since 1989, and had seen the destruction of [Kalapana](/source/Kalapana%2C_Hawaii) and the beach at [Kaimu](/source/Kaimu), and had watched lava flows from his home.<ref name="fresh"/> He added that his proximity to the steady active lava flows made him "feel closely connected [to Pele] on a very personal level".<ref name="fresh"/>

In 2005, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park finished refurbishing its Visitor Center, and replaced the Hitchcock painting with Johnsen's ''The Goddess Pele''.<ref name="Exhibit Eruption">{{cite news |last1=Mitchell |first1=Julie |title=Exhibit Eruption |url=http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/February-2005/Exhibit-Eruption/ |accessdate=August 31, 2018 |work=[Honolulu](/source/Honolulu_(magazine)) |date=February 1, 2005}}</ref><ref name="Sacred Natural Sites"/> It is on permanent display beside the center's fireplace.<ref name="Exhibit Eruption"/>

==Personal life==
Johnsen lived along the [Red Road](/source/Hawaii_Route_137) near [Kehena](/source/Kehena_Beach) in [Lower Puna](/source/Puna%2C_Hawaii) on the Big Island of Hawaii, in the home he built in 1992.<ref name="fresh"/> He died in November 2015 following a sudden illness.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Anderson |first1=Bob |title=Friends of Arthur Johnsen |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207841970478016 |website=Remembering Arthur Johnsen |publisher=[Facebook](/source/Facebook) |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=November 14, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnsen |first1=Carl |title=We just heard from Bob |url=https://www.facebook.com/arthur.johnsen.90/posts/10153808576627783 |website=Remembering Arthur Johnsen |publisher=[Facebook](/source/Facebook) |accessdate=August 28, 2018 |date=November 15, 2015}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.facebook.com/arthur.johnsen.90 Remembering Arthur Johnsen] on [Facebook](/source/Facebook)
*{{cite web |title=''Paintings of the Red Road by Arthur Johnsen'' |url=http://jhawkinsdesign.com/portfolio/images/print/AJohnson_RedRdBook.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831174655/http://jhawkinsdesign.com/portfolio/images/print/AJohnson_RedRdBook.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2018-08-31 |publisher=[EHCC](/source/East_Hawaii_Cultural_Center)/Hawaii Museum of Contemporary Art Publishers |date=2014}}
*[http://onegalleryhawaii.com/pgajohnsen.html "The Art of Arthur Johnsen"] at One Gallery
*[http://www.cedarstreetgalleries.com/bin/works.cgi?Artist=Johnsen1952-2015Arthur Listing with illustrations at Cedar Street Gallery]

{{Hawaiian Art}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Johnsen, Arthur}}
Category:1952 births
Category:2015 deaths
Category:20th-century American painters
Category:21st-century American painters
Category:21st-century American male artists
Category:American male painters
Category:People from Oahu
Category:People from Puna, Hawaii
Category:Painters from Hawaii
Category:University of California, Berkeley alumni
Category:Punahou School alumni
Category:20th-century American male artists

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Arthur Johnsen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Johnsen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Johnsen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.