Stephen Salel

Background

About Stephen Salel

Under the supervision of the Asian Art Curator, the Curator of Japanese Art directs the scholarship, interpretation, display, and strategic collection of Japanese art at Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA). The collection currently consists of more than objects, with one of the largest and most significant assemblages of Japanese works on paper outside of Asia. Alongside other members of the Curatorial team, the Curator of Japanese Art serves as a representative of the museum in interactions with collectors, donors, artists, community members and other organizations as well as in efforts to promote the museum’s stellar collection through exhibitions, research, and other mission-aligned programs. Our ambitious program covers the depth and breadth of art – from major thematic exhibitions and surveys of established artists, solo contemporary art exhibitions and artistic projects, to presentations of new work by emerging artists. The Curator of Japanese Art will also support the scholarship, interpretation, and display of artworks from cultures that resonate with Japan, and support the Asian Art Curator in large and small-scale projects. With a renewed commitment to expanding the art historical narratives commonplace in museums, HoMA is actively presenting perspectives from around the world through the display of art with a particular focus on connecting our historic collection to the contemporary global experience. The Curator of Japanese Art also develops and maintains the internal and online databases in conjunction with the digitization of HoMA’s world renowned Japanese art collection.