Daven Hee Ceramics

I am a wheel-thrower. I love to make vases, bowls, plates, mugs, toys, and anything else you can think of. All on the wheel.

I also love to make sculptural vessels that are never intended for utilitarian use. They are meant to hold an idea, of form and expression. The formal aspects of my work—size, shape, color, lines, and even weight—are all important elements that I strive to emphasize.

Ceramics is an extension of who I am. No other media have allowed me to express myself in such a fast, spontaneous way. Every throwing line and mark leaves behind information. These marks can talk to you, move your eyes around a piece. They can pull you in.

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Daven Hee is a local potter and ceramic artist from the island of O‘ahu. Born in Honolulu and raised with traditional Japanese and Chinese values, Daven was officially told in high school that he was meant to be either a farmer or a circus performer.

Instead, Daven grows pots and entertains his students at Mid-Pacific, an arts-focused private school in Honolulu, Hawai‘i, where he serves as instructor of ceramics and leads the 3D art program. Prior to COVID-19 times, Daven could also be found teaching at the Honolulu Museum of Art School, the Hawai‘i Potters’ Guild, and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Alongside mentoring students of all ages, Daven maintains an active studio practice. His work can be found in permanent and private collections nationally and internationally, including at the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the National Institute for the Arts, Australian National University.

Daven holds a Master of Arts in the Visual Arts (MAVA) from the Australian National University School of Art & Design, where he studied with Janet De Boos and Greg Daly, and he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Awards

2018 Cedar Street Galleries Award, 51st Annual Hawai‘i Craftsmen Statewide Juried Exhibition
2016 Honolulu Museum of Art Permanent Collection Purchase, 49th Annual Hawai‘i Craftsmen Statewide Juried Exhibition
2016 Best of Show, Strictly Functional Pottery National
2012 First Place 3D Category, Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce Annual Art Exhibition
2008 Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Acquisition Award: 26 pieces purchased from solo show entitled “Thrown” at The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Bank
2007 Second Place, Traditional Division, Raku Ho‘olaule‘a
2006 Second Place, Contemporary Division, Raku Ho‘olaule‘a

Commissions

2019 Vintage Cave Club, Honolulu, O‘ahu
2018 Merriman’s, Ward Village, Honolulu, O‘ahu
2015–13 Odori-ko Japanese Restaurant, Honolulu, O‘ahu
2014–15 Mourad, San Francisco, California
2012–13 Vintage Cave, Honolulu, O‘ahu; collaboration with Chef Chris Kajioka

Featured Artist

2017 Selected Artist, “Adult Toys (Not That Kind)” Process Room Demonstration, National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), Portland, Oregon
2017 Guest Artist, “Enveloping Spiral Maui!” Workshop, Maui Community College, Kahului, Maui
2016 Invited Ceramic Artist, Hawai‘i Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition, Honolulu, O‘ahu
2009 Guest Artist, “Hawaii Potter” Workshop, Saskatoon Potters’ Guild, Saskatchewan, Canada
2009 Artist in Residence, “Living Pots” Lecture, Southwest School of Arts and Crafts, San Antonio, Texas

Collaboration

2006 Gallery Co-Owner, Lodestar Collective, Kailua, O‘ahu
with K.C. Grennan, Aaron Padilla, Carl F.K. Pao, Diana Sanchez, & Maika‘i Tubbs

Solo Exhibitions

2017 “toy shop” – SAAS at Aupuni Place, Ward Warehouse
2012 “toys and teapots” – Cedar Street Gallery
2011 “dialects” – Punahou School Kirstch Gallery
2010 “cronies” – The Gallery at Ward Center
2010 “eat, drink, cup, bowl” – Tutuvi Sitoa
2008 “thrown” – The Contemporary Museum at First Hawaiian Bank
2006 “my own little planet, souvenirs from my world” – Bibelot Gallery
2000 “Utilitarian Signatures” – Bibelot Gallery

Juried Group Exhibitions

2018, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 Hawai‘i Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition
2018, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce Annual Art Exhibition
2016 Strictly Functional Pottery National; Market House Craft Center, Pennsylvania
2016 Ceramics of Hawai‘i, juried by David Kuraoka; Honolulu Museum of Art School Main Gallery
2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2001, 1997 Raku Ho‘olaule‘a Exhibition
2005 “Pots: Objects of Virtue”, National Juried Exhibition of Pots, California
2004 “Fresh Clay: Fresh Glass 2004”, Fusions: Australian network of clay and glass artists, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
1999 Artists of Hawai‘i; Honolulu Academy of Art

Group Exhibitions

2020 “art in time” – HiSAM Gallery Shop x MORI
2017 “lift, the air show” – Honolulu Museum of Art School Main Gallery
2016 “40 carrots” – Bloomingdale’s
2016 “dinner party 2016” – The ARTS at Mark’s Garage
2015 “spirit of teabowls” with Clayton Amemiya, Ed Higa, Ken Kang, & Yukio Ozaki – Louis Pohl Gallery
2015 “points of view” – Cedar Street Gallery
2014 Eutectic Gallery, Portland, Oregon
2014 “Hawaii’s Modern Masters” – Coach at Luxury Row
2014 “clay” – Iolani Gallery at Windward Community College, Kaneohe
2014 “dirt” – Honolulu Museum of Art School Main Gallery
2014 “inquiring finds” – Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House
2012 “3@the table”, collaboration with Chef Ed Kenney from Town Restaurant – Fishcake Gallery
2012 “mixed media minature show” – Koa Gallery
2011 “materials matters” – The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
2011 “Thirst”, the water show – The Honolulu Academy of Art
2010 “Contempo ” – Neiman Marcus
2009 “Gallery Goho”, Tokyo, Japan
2009 “The 10th International Shoebox Sculpture Exhibition”
2008 “choice Art” – Pegge Hopper Gallery
2008 “formed by fire” – The Gallery at Ward Center
2007 “Cheongju International Craft Biennale 2007” – Art & Deco House, Cheongju, Korea
2006 “between Form and Function” – Baltimore Clayworks, Baltimore, Maryland
2005 “Hawaii” – Bodybuilder and Sportsman Gallery, Chicago, Illinois
2000 “A Room with Three Views” – Queen Emma Gallery

 

A comprehensive exhibition history is available upon request.

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