Katherine Love speaks about Curatorial Work at Honolulu Museum of Art
March 2nd, 2022
Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art Katherine Love at the Honolulu Museum of Art
Our La Pietra community provides students with a supportive environment where they can hear from alumnae and parents with real-world experience. It's these kinds of talks that help set students on a path to discover their passions and purpose.
In February, current parent Katherine Love visited the La Pietra Art Department to talk about the work she does as Assistant Curator of Contemporary Art at the Honolulu Museum of Art, a position she has held since 2016.
A true artist at heart, Love received her MFA in painting from The University of Hawaii at Manoa. Her work is in the collection of Honolulu Museum of Art, Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties, as well as private collections, and has been exhibited extensively in Hawaii. You may have seen her work at places like the University of Hawaii Commons Gallery, Honolulu Museum of Art, The Contemporary Museum, ARS Cafe, Koa Gallery, and in solo exhibitions at Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center on Maui, thirtyninehotel in Honolulu, and Hawaii Pacific University Art Gallery in Kaneohe.
"My work explores issues surrounding traditional roles of women in society, including romance, marriage, child-rearing, and homemaking," Love said. "My paintings and drawings reference familiar, comforting, idealized images of femininity (such as home, family, beauty, and love), and pull them out of context in order to explore alternative narratives as well as uncover contrasts and connections between interior/intimate and exterior/public spaces."
Nationally, she has shown at Togonon Gallery, San Francisco, CA; Indigo Contemporary Art, Norfolk, VA; Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay; Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, OR; and Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA.
"I really enjoy museum work," Love said when asked why she became a curator instead of continuing as an artist. "Doing my own work is more a solitary experience, which I really love, but I also like being out there and interacting with people."
Some of Love's collage work
During her presentation, Love let students know there are many paths that can lead to a career at a museum, especially for those who have a love of art and technology. Those interested in science or history could also pursue a career such as an archivist, a position that preserves and maintains important works.
Mahalo to Katherine Love for sharing her experience with our students! You can see more of her work here and learn more about the Honolulu Museum of Art here.
