A limited edition sculpture by Herb Kawainui Kane
Antiqued True Bronze
Pele Dreaming is the first sculptural image of the goddess Pele created by Hawaiian artist Herb Kawainui Kane. It is a life-size bas-relief sculpture designed in 1989 for limited replication in an edition of 500.
The subject is Pele, the personification of volcanic majesty, interpreted as a sleeping woman, her hair being interpreted as pahoehoe lava, against a background of flame. A single flame is rising from her hand.
- 34” x 34” x apx 4” relief
- Hand-poured from cast stone
- Hand-finished with matte white, black, antiqued true bronze, or antiqued pewter
- Weatherproof in temperate climates
- Signed and copyrighted by the artist
- $2,900
One of the most dramatic goddesses of Hawai‘ian mythology, Pele has long lived in Hawai‘ian hearts and minds as the supreme personification of volcanic majesty and power. Within the Hawai‘ian cosmos all natural forces are regarded as life forces, related to humanity by common descent from the same ultimate creative spirits. Possessing the power to create new land, Pele also has a volcanic personality. She is by nature impetuous and lusty, jealous, unpredictable, and capable of sudden fury and great violence.
White Pele
She can also be gentle, loving, and as serene as her forests of ferns and flowering trees. It is this aspect of her personality that becomes evident with this sculpture. She is a gatherer of creative energy manifesting as pure compassion and caring for the ‘aina (the land and its spirit) and the people who live on our planet.
Pele, Hawaiian Goddess of Volcanos, Keeper of the Sacred Fire. Filled with love, compassion, and caring for her people who hold her in high esteem.
Me ke aloha pumehana —Hawaiian Kahuna
Born of Hau‘mea, mother of gods and the first people, Pele voyaged to Hawai‘i from the ancient Tahitian homeland with several sisters and brothers, their sailing canoe guided by her elder brother Ka-moho-ali‘i in the form of a great shark. Her home is believed to be the fire pit Halema‘uma‘u at Kilauea crater on Mauna Loa, earth’s largest mountain; yet her domain encompasses all volcanic activity in Hawai‘i. She came into being out of the awe experienced by an ancient people, and she still makes her presence felt by those who visit her domain today.