Over two years ago, on our first visit to the big island, we were delighted to attend an assemblage exhibit hosted by SKEA, a lovely small art association in south Kona, just a few blocks away from where we were staying with our friend Yani near Honaunau.
Out of all the exhibitors' assemblages Lunel was instantly and singularly drawn to the art of one man who signed his pieces "Jozuf." As she was standing in front of one piece with a big grin on her face, she was surprised when the man who was standing beside her turned out to be the artist! He asked what she liked about his art, and she shrugged and replied, "It makes me smile." He grinned, gave her a hug, and said, "Then, you 'get it.'"
This month, two and a half years later, she was over on the Kona side again, this time to stop at the vacation rental where our Blue Lake friends from Humboldt were staying, and to visit Yani again. When she walked into the house (where she had never been) the walls were covered with Jozuf's art!!
Also, on the coffee table were books of his poetry -- all in Hawaiian pidgin!
The home belongs to a lovely, energetic woman named Betsy who operated a kayak business for many years. When Lunel sat down in her living room for a chat, it was like meeting an old friend. Betsy informed us that Jozuf (whose literary name is Bradajo) was doing a reading of his poetry at Basically Books in Hilo on August 17th. We invited both of them to supper and talk-story after the reading, when we found out that Jozuf and Lunel had the same birthday -- August 14th. Phil and Jozuf had much in common including their passion for wood and both having taught sculpture for many years. We're thrilled to meet such folks and plan on seeing more of them.
We invite you to visit Jozuf's website, and/or....
www.jozufhadley.com
Visit this link to listen to samples from several of Jozuf's bemusing poems.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bradajo3
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