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Siobhan (say sha-von) Halstead is a long time Maui resident, originally from the Silicon Valley. Having grown up surrounded by computers, it is no wonder that they are a career for her today. Formal studies include Commercial Art, Photography and Web Design.

What's the deal with bees?
The honeybee is known the world over for its industrious production of honey. It is the symbol of work, creative activity, transformation, team work, busyness, cooperation, obedience, orderliness, and diligence. The honey it produces is a symbol of wisdom, rebirth, and positive changes in spiritual or moral direction and temperament.Bee is the ancient symbol of good fortune, joy and harmony. Bee also teaches us to engage fully in our creative endeavors. The key is to focus with intention and to be single-minded in purpose. Finally, bee shows us that all life is interdependent.
All bees are productive. They remain focused in their activities and do not get distracted from their goal. The bumblebee carries the power of service. They are important pollinators of many plants. As a bee lands upon one flower, collecting its nectar, pollen also attaches itself to the leg fibers. It is then transferred to other flowers, creating a fertilization process. Their movement from one plant to another symbolizes the interconnectedness of all living things. The bumblebee is a messenger that holds the secrets of life and service.



The BUZZ:
An archive of past events & press

November 2007
What's New:
Source: Maui Time
Arts & Entertainment
Altars and Shrines
The art of worship at Café Marc Aurel

by Starr Begley
November 15, 2007

Spank me please. That’s the title to Maui artist Sugar Dolands’ shrine–one of the many on display at Café Marc Aurel’s Altars and Shrines exhibit. Like all good art, Dolands’ piece lets me peek not only into its creator’s psyche, but my own as well.

On first glance, it’s pretty simple–a black leather whip dangles from inside a red box with black gauzy drapes. Inside of the box is white and speckled with little mirrors and packets of lube.

My first thought was, “See, BDSM can be pretty.” But every time that I look at “Spank me Please,” it provokes me to introspection. Do I keep aspects of myself hidden behind a curtain? Do I feel that pain or suffering purges me and makes me clean? Do I idolize sex? And most of all, do I want answers to these questions?

I asked a few of the artists on display to explain their work:

PATRICK DUNNE
“Fish Temple,” acrylic medium transfer on canvas
“Fish Temple” is derived from multiple photographs I took while visiting Thailand. Among the things I admired most were the various temples and shrines–from the bustling streets of Bangkok to the Southern islands of Samui, Phuket and Phi Phi—I became mesmerized by their beauty and grace. The images in this particular piece are from a fish temple that sits on its own little island, surrounded by a giant pond teeming with, you guessed it, fish. Inside the temple is a huge golden Buddha who sits in front of a tree. On every wall, there are paintings depicting stories and parables. I wanted to capture the feeling of this place–the colors, textures, details and love that went into creating it.

 

RANDY MILLS
“Altered States,” digital animation
I wanted to take an Egyptian theme–most myths came out of Egypt. So I have this female figure that is pieced together of different religions and her reflection is a skeleton, which symbolizes the death of mythology. But in front of her, is this crystal ball. The crystal ball represents the unknown, or hope–hope in the future that mythology will carry us over.

 

 

 

SIOBHAN HALSTEAD
“Anikulapo,” photo collage
I was inspired by my experiences coming of age in the Bay Area in the 80’s. With this piece, I honor and celebrate my heroes, like my friend Thom McGinty and my favorite photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. Included in the photo collage are photos taken at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, and at a Dia de los Muertos celebration. Fela Kuti (also pictured in the collage) was an amazing musician and political activist. He changed his middle name to “Anikulapo” (meaning “he who carries death in his pouch”). On Aug. 2, 1997, he died of Kaposi’s sarcoma brought on by AIDS.

 

 

 

GAVIN DILLARD
“The Beatification of St. Gerry,” mixed media
My shrine is triptych. On the left I have Saint Patrick; on the right there is Saint Francis; in the middle is Gerard Butler, riddled with arrows from the final scene of 300. The piece is crawling with serpents (Patrick), animals (Francis) and little plastic ninjas. A hula boy glued to the top has the stigmata. Nails in the frame bleed. Modern icons include a Corona bottle cap, Hello Kitty, condom, day glow Mary and Rosary, dolphin and VW bus with a Maui surfboard. I have no literal translation; the piece is an object of worship. MTW


"Anikulapo - He who carries death in his pocket"

By C. Siobhan Halstead


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2007
"Smoke in My Eyes" by C. Siobhan Halstead



Cafe Marc Aurel in Wailuku is currently presenting its newest group exhibit, “Modern Landscape.” Artist Adrianne Martinez consistently curates shows that are fun and innovative. Cafe Marc Aurel is located at 28 North Market Street. For more information, call (808) 244-0852 or visit www.cafemarcaurel.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 28, 2007
The following is from an article about Cafe Marc Aurel by Lisa Shaw

A big part of the success of the wine bar and café is the art. Both Whitney and Martinez have an extensive background in fine art and were the two owners of Wild Banana, an art gallery formerly located in Wailuku. When Martinez became a business owner with Marc Aurel, she brought the art. “It is important to bring in the music and art,” Martinez said. “We are exposing a huge group of people that may not otherwise get to see alternative work like this on Maui. Alternative art is modern, expressive art, which has a strong sense of the artist and their modern world in its content. Content is very important. What we show is not decorative. It is not meant for tourists. No whales or dolphins.”

There are themes every month that force artists into a contemplative state, out of the normal realm. Recent shows at the café, including Biodegradable, Boundless Love, the T-shirt show, Out of This World, and the present show, Movement, display works by artists such as David Hamma, Heidi Nelms, Nancy Skrimstad, Patrick Dunne and many more.

“Another creative soul to add to the artistic perspective on opening nights is DJ Boomshot,” said Martinez. “Openings are always a good time.”

“We try to take away the pretentiousness by showing works at a smaller scale and lower price, where artists can actually buy pieces as well,” stated Martinez. “It is not juried, it’s open to everyone, but retail must be no greater than $200.”
Click here to read compete article


Saturday, June 23rd, Movement Group Art Exhibit Opening Wine Party -
"No Turn Your Back" by: C. Siobhan Halstead


"No Turn Your Back" by: C. Siobhan Halstead

From Maui Time Weekly Volume12, issue 52

The Art of Movement
Saturday (June 23), 7 p.m. at Cafe Marc Aurel, Wailuku

[ART/PARTY] Thirteen mostly local artists will be showing off their moves on the walls of Cafe Marc Aurel’s in a group art show in Wailuku this weekend. Young artist Hannah Shimabukuro used photos of student war protesters and print process that is at least 150 years old to convey “movement,” the show’s theme. In muted tones of blue and brown, her piece communicates the shifting of ideals. David Whitney, a repeat contributor to the cafe’s art shows, had yet to decide on a specific piece to display, but said the challenge of this show is to create something that implies physical movement without actually moving. Scott Olsen’s drawing suggests what he calls, “the marks of occurrence” or the invisible lines of energy left behind after an action. “This drawing was inspired by a crumpled brown paper bag that had been repeatedly stepped on. Like a paper car crash,” he told me. For a group show like this one, interpretations of the theme are bound to be varied. I’m not sure how all of it will come together, but one guarantee is that attendees will spend an evening in true Cafe Marc Aurel’s style: with art on the walls, wine in the glasses and sophistication in the air. All the artwork on display will be for sale, and none will be priced higher than $199. Curator Katherine Godwin of Hui Press Publications promises a rad soundtrack for your listening pleasure and much remarkable artwork that challenges the geometric boundaries of visual art. Prepare to be moved! Admission is free. [JESSICA ARMSTRONG]




Top Right: "I Want to Believe" by C. Siobhan Halstead
Bottom Left: "Cosmic Mermaid" by C. Siobhan Halstead

"Nombre Narcissimo" by C. Siobhan Halstead

Favorite Bee Quotes:
"It takes a bee to get the honey out"- Arthur Guiterman
Si sapis, sis apis - "If you are wise, be a bee"
"The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others" Saint John Chrysostom
"Around a flowering tree, one finds many insects." - Proverb from Guinea
"Hope is the only bee that makes honey without flowers." Robert Green Ingersoll
"How doth the little busy bee improve each shining hour, And gather honey all the day from every opening flower." Isaac Watts
"The men of experiment are like the ant; they only collect and use.
But the bee . . . gathers its materials from the flowers of the garden and of the field,
but transforms and digests it by a power of its own."
Leonardo da Vinci

Shoobee Designs PO Box 790186, Paia, Maui, Hawaii 96779 email: siobhan@shoobeedesigns.com