Sunset Before the Dawn by Esther Hi'ilani Candari

Artist:  Esther Hi'ilani Candari

Title: Sunset Before the Dawn

Medium: Oil on panel

Size: 16x20

Price: $400

Artist Statement: “And [Joseph] took [the body of Christ] down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments... ” - Luke 23 An integral part of Christ’s earthly ministry was the love and regard He had for the women in His community. These women undoubtedly saw in Him a servant leader like they had never experienced before and His death must have shattered the hope He had instilled in them. As the sun was setting on the eve of His death, they were the last to leave his side. One can only imagine the tearful goodbyes that were said over His hastily wrapped body. Goodbyes ignorant of the glorious ressurection yet to come; the miracle to which women would be the first witnesses.

Artist Bio: Esther Hi’ilani Candari is primarily a figurative artist and explores concepts such as; multiracial identity; gender and the female gaze in the context of religion, and the connections between ecology, culture, and sense of place. Much of her work draws upon her experiences growing up in Hawai’i in an Asian American mixed race household. She has an BFA from BYU-H, an MFA from Liberty University, and has studied at the New York Academy of Art. In addition to her studio work she teaches art courses for Southern Virginia University, manages programming for Writ & Vision Gallery, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Dialogue Foundation. Currently, she lives in Utah County with her husband, two rescue dogs, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants.