Maui
photographer, Siobhan (say sha-von) Halstead is a long time Maui
resident, originally from the Silicon Valley. One of her earliest
memories is being in the darkroom with her father, watching blank
pieces of paper magically develop into photographs. 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.
November 2007
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:
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.
