ABOUT THE ARTIST

While his work in watercolor compliments the dreamlike nature of life on the big island, the current subjects of Zhenya Shen’s paintings tell another story: that where there is growth and beauty, there is also death and degradation. Shen’s work offers a peek into the inner workings of a young Ukrainian man’s attempt to reconcile his own struggle — between knowing first hand the horrors of a war torn home, and yet still striving to always locate the beauty in life.

 

Before finding refuge on the big island, Shen was trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Wroclaw, Poland, where he earned an MFA in Painting, showcased his art in exhibitions, and received numerous awards within the department. Sponsored by Hawaii‑Fi Youth Arts Program, Shen will lead the organization’s first painting-focused workshop and receive ongoing support as one of Hawaii‑Fi’s premier mentors. Proceeds from the series will be split between Zhenya and funding for a year-long watercolor workshop also led by Zhenya facilitated by Hawaii-Fi.

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ABOUT US   

Hawaii-Fi is an art mentorship non-profit based out of Puna. A collection of artists, musicians, therapists, facilitators, and teachers, we came together to share the power of creative expression with our local community to help foster a healthier environment for our youth. Find out more about our programs and events at hawaii-fi.org

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