Life in Balance
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Object number6094
TitleLife in Balance
CreatorDerek Bencomo
DescriptionNorfolk island pine
Date2025
Material721-carved wood sculpture
Current locationMS
Dimensions
overall: 14.5 x 15.75 x 15.5"
Acquired fromHawai'i Craftsmen, Downtown Art Center, "Hawai'i Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition 2025," juried exhibition (October 3, 2025 - November 1, 2025)
Credit lineState Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Art in Public Places Collection
Accompanying textDerek Bencomo was born in 1962 in Los Angeles, California. His love of surfing and an active outdoor life brought him to Maui in 1984, where he has worked as a full-time artist for over 30 years. Bencomo has exhibited extensively throughout the United States, and his sculptures are held in numerous museum collections, including the Museum of Arts and Design, NY, Long Beach Art Museum, CA, and the Detroit Institution of Arts, MI. About Life in Balance the artist explains, “This piece started life as a sculptural vessel, but early in the process, I did not leave the walls thick enough for my design. I continued working on the piece, thinking of fresh design possibilities. I just did not want to make a plain bowl. I ended up working the piece with the walls about 1/8" to 3/16” thick, so that light can pass through. I wanted the piece to sit on its side. What a wonderful surprise that I was able to balance the piece, so it leans.”