Keoni's Extraordinary Wood Artistry: A Special Thanksgiving Weekend Showcase at Cobalt Gallery
Keoni, a nationally recognized fine art carver, will be making a special appearance at Cobalt Gallery during Thanksgiving weekend. His work, driven by a deep passion for Native Culture and First People stories and mythology, reimagines wood as woven and beaded basketry using tools like sharpened steel, fire, inks, and organic dyes. Keoni is a three-time Smithsonian artist, a 2019 CM Russell Museum artist, and has received numerous awards at prestigious events like the Jackson Hole Western Design Conference. His artwork, executed entirely freehand, draws inspiration from tribal and First Peoples imagery from around the world, with Sugar Maple wood as his canvas. Each piece can involve over 25,000 individual cuts, burns, and colored cells.