Nui He'e Makau
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Object number6097
TitleNui He'e Makau
CreatorJason Liu
Descriptionwood
Date2024
Subjectanimal
Material720-wood sculpture
Current locationMS
Dimensions
overall: 29 x 13 x 5.5"
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 textMoloka‘i artist Jason Liu draws inspiration from his Hawaiian heritage and connection to the land. About Nui He'e Makau, he states, “The design depicts the heʻe (octopus), valued for its flexibility, intelligence, and ability to transform. The heʻe was not only a food source but also an ʻaumākua (spiritual ancestor/guardian) and a kinolau (body form) of the ocean god Kanaloa. The wood’s complexity required me to design and repeatedly replace my own specialized tools. Completing this piece was inspired by my lineage and the strength of my ancestors.”