‘Āhuimanu Collective

The Collaborative Works of Mary Philpotts McGrath and Douglas Po’oloa Tolentino

October 4th - November 17th

Mary Philpotts 1936-2023

A lifelong lover of beautiful spaces and environments, Mary’s aesthetic captures the lush essence of Hawai’i. Her passion for printmaking, paper making, and collaboration led her to establish an expansive studio in her Nu’uanu home, where she spent her days creating and printing alongside fellow artists, experimenting with vibrant colors and diverse materials. Mary’s discerning eye and refined palette fostered a strong collaboration with her creative partner, Douglas Pooloa Tolentino.

Douglas Po’oloa Tolentino b. 1960

A musician, composer, artist, collector, and storyteller, Doug has been a steadfast companion to Mary for decades. Their shared enthusiasm for natural materials, pigments, and printmaking deepened their artistic bond. Doug’s aesthetic and understanding of cultural context, along with his long history with Mary’s ‘ohana, created a friendship built on generational trust and respect for each other’s complementary talents, enriching and enhancing their collaboration.

Their fortuitous partnership began at Honolulu Printmakers, where they connected through their mutual artistic passions. This deep connection led Mary to invite Doug to her studio, where their artistic relationship unfolded. Mary generously shared the broad variety of techniques she employed in printing and collage. Then, as their collaboration blossomed, the two began creating work together.

As Mary prepared for her passing, she left notes for Doug to consider while working on their mutual projects, guiding and directing him on how to complete each piece. Though Mary is no longer present, her spirit and essence live on in the artworks they created and envisioned together. We invite you to experience these works through our exhibition ‘Āhuimanu, where each piece carries the strength of their story.

We invite you to experience these works through their exhibition ‘Āhuimanu, where each piece carries the strength of their story. We hope that as you engage with the art, you can feel the profound connection between them and the intention behind their designs, their inspiration drawn from their shared journeys as friends, kānaka, and makers.