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Lynne Yamamoto's 'Genteel' Exhibition at P.P.O.W Explores Hawaiian Identity Through Insects and Memory

exhibition · 2026-04-22

Lynne Yamamoto's solo exhibition, 'Genteel,' was held at the P.P.O.W gallery in New York City from October 13 to November 12, 2011. The showcase featured her works 'Insect Immigrants, After Zimmerman (1948) Hawaii' (2009-11) and 'Grandfather's Shed' (2008-10). Originating from Hawaii, Yamamoto delves into themes of nationality, cultural identity, and the immigrant experience. 'Insect Immigrants' consists of 78 hand-embroidered doilies depicting insects, inspired by Elwood C. Zimmerman's 1948 catalog of Hawaiian insects, symbolizing the influx of immigrants to Hawaiian plantations. 'Grandfather's Shed' pays tribute to her grandfather's woodshop, crafted through 3D scanning and rendered in marble. The exhibition also featured works by mid-career women artists, including Martha Wilson and Katherine Kuharic.

Key facts

  • Lynne Yamamoto's exhibition 'Genteel' ran from October 13 to November 12, 2011 at P.P.O.W gallery in New York City
  • The exhibition featured two projects: 'Insect Immigrants, After Zimmerman (1948) Hawaii' (2009-11) and 'Grandfather's Shed' (2008-10)
  • 'Insect Immigrants' includes 78 hand-embroidered doilies with different insects, each titled with scientific names
  • The doilies are suspended with black insect pins, casting shadows and creating a glowing installation
  • The title references Elwood C. Zimmerman's 1948 catalog of over 5,000 native Hawaiian insects
  • 'Grandfather's Shed' is a marble sculpture memorializing Yamamoto's grandfather's woodshop in Lana'i City, Island of Lana'i
  • The sculpture was created via 3D scan of a hand-made positive and hand-detailed from memory
  • Yamamoto uses European methods like embroidery and marble sculpture to explore Western identity and immigrant experience

Entities

Artists

  • Lynne Yamamoto
  • Martha Wilson
  • Katherine Kuharic
  • Tom Wesselmann
  • Richard Hamilton
  • Elwood C. Zimmerman

Institutions

  • P.P.O.W

Locations

  • New York City
  • United States
  • Hawaii
  • Lana'i City
  • Island of Lana'i

Sources