Hawai‘i Contemporary, presenter of Hawai‘i Triennial (the state’s largest, periodic, international exhibition of contemporary art), is thrilled to announce the artist list for 2025. Featuring 49 artists and art collectives from Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and beyond, Hawai‘i Triennial 2025 (HT25) is titled ALOHA NŌ and will be held at exhibition sites across O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Island, and Maui, February 15–May 4, 2025.
Contrary to its ubiquitous and over-commodified presence, aloha is an action that comprises a profound love and truth-telling, a practice that has been kept and cared for by the people of Hawaiʻi for generations. This practice of aloha engenders a deep connectivity to the environment, the elements, and each other. It enables us to protect and defend inter-archipelagic relations, that which we love, and our mutual interdependence.
By collapsing two, seemingly opposite, notions—“no” in English with “nō,” an intensifier in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language)—ALOHA NŌ reclaims aloha from a colonial-capitalist historicity and situates it as a transformative power that is collectively enacted through contemporary art. Artists will query the kaona (layered meanings) of ALOHA NŌ, including a love of ‘āina (land), mo‘okū‘auhau (genealogy to people and place), mo‘olelo (storied traditions), ho‘opono (healing through speaking truth and mutual emergence), and sovereignty in the face of colonial occupation and capitalist violence.
Curated by Wassan Al-Khudhairi, Binna Choi, and Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu, HT25 is a large-scale exhibition of artistic works that explores local-global dialogues through a Hawai‘i- and Pacific-focused lens.
“We have centered artists whose practices are shaped by their shared commitment to learning from and loving the people and places from where they and their ancestors come; in particular, Hawai‘i, the Pacific, and other islands and nations that share similar histories and struggles,” the curators collectively voiced. “Embracing a sense of urgency toward the practice of ALOHA NŌ—whether through fierce resistance and resolute solidarity or through an act of tender care and profound healing—we envision HT25 to be a unique, collective moment to articulate a deeper and broader dimensionality of love that is fundamental and universal to humanity through the specificity of Hawai‘i.”
HT25 Artists: J. D. Nālamakūikapō Ahsing, Allora & Calzadilla, Meleanna Aluli Meyer, Nanci Amaka, Edith Amituanai, Art Labor, Rebecca Belmore, Melissa Chimera, Kahi Ching, Stephanie Comilang, Megan Cope, Sione Faletau, Teresita Fernández, Nikita Gale, Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikoloʻEhu Jensen, Hayv Kahraman, Jane Jin Kaisen, Emily Karaka, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Yazan Khalili, Sung Hwan Kim, Al Lagunero, Las Nietas de Nonó, Lehuauakea, Anchi Lin (Ciwas Tahos), Nanea Lum, Jumana Manna, Gisela McDaniel, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Charles Aulii Mitchell, Futoshi Miyagi, Brandon Ng, Christian Nyampeta, Carl F.K. Pao, John Pule, Tiare Ribeaux, Rice Brewing Sisters Club, Citra Sasmita, Sancia Miala Shiba Nash, Lieko Shiga, Rose B. Simpson, Russell Sunabe, Stephanie Syjuco, Taro Patch Creative, Salote Tawale, Shannon Te Ao, Kanitha Tith, wendelien van oldenborgh, and Warraba Weatherall
HT25 marks the first time the eleven-week, multi-site exhibition will have a presence on Hawai‘i Island and Maui in addition to O‘ahu. HT25 will also offer free public programs and audience-engagement events, including participatory art projects, workshops, artist talks, film screenings, panel discussions, tours, and more.
“ALOHA NŌ emphasizes inclusivity and invites artists to engage deeply with the values of this place,” said Josh Tengan, Hawai‘i Contemporary associate director. “Through HT25 and the exhibition’s participating artists, we affirm our commitment to presenting a wide range of experiences from across Moananuiākea and beyond.”
To read the full curatorial statement on ALOHA NŌ and to learn more about Hawai‘i Triennial 2025, please visit hawaiicontemporary.org.
