Michael Harburg (American, contemporary), ca. 2007 CE. A massive ipu gourd that is hand carved and dyed using traditional native Hawaiian methods. The interior is hollow and corked by carved wood stopper, and the surface is decorated with a bamboo motif. The base is etched and signed "Michael Harburg / 1/2007 / Holualoa Hawaii," and a Bishop Museum sticker is on the surface. Michael Harburg is dedicated to reviving the traditional art of dyeing and carving Hawaiian ipu gourds using unripe / green gourds and dyes made from bark and coffee, known as the "Ni'ihau Method." In total it takes about a year to make a gourd using the Ni'ihau method when growing from a seed. Harburg's practice is both art and a preservation of heritage and tradition; he also teaches gourd carving at the Bishop Museum and has exhibited his work there as well. Size: 9" Diameter x 19" H (22.9 cm x 48.3 cm)

The Ni'ihau method is a long and multi-step process, from selecting a new gourd, scraping the skin to create the design, and then applying the dye and letting the surface soak in the pigment for about 8 weeks. The Hawaiian word "ipu" has many meanings such as "bottle gourd, "vessel," or "drum."

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 2000 to 2010

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#184545

Minor wear to surface and stable pressure fissure near the stem opening, otherwise intact. Old inventory and museum labels on the base and signed by the artist.