Robert Siemers

This is from a short Biosketch in a book I co-authored called, KauaOI's Geologic History.

Robert Siemers received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Physical Geography and Environmental Conservation from the University of Colorado at Boulder with additional studies at the University of Wollongong in Australia and Harvard.

In 1995, he moved to Kauai to study the unique islands of Hawaii and to further develop his keen interest in the natural environment. Rob has created environmental education businesses including TEOK Investigations, Kauai Nature Tours and Environmental Designs - Hawaii. Rob actively volunteers in community and scientific organizations.

As a self-taught artist and graphic designer, Rob creatively integrates his environmental knowledge and respect into educational materials including books, maps, photographs, sculptures and paintings.

ARTIST STATEMENT  

There are a few items I would like to share beyond the previous paragraph. I focus my energies on the present existence, extruded from the past, without much future thought. It just is.

I look at and illustrate aspects of creating a coexistence and a sustainable future between humans and their natural environment. I try to immerse my being into the essence of a space, such as living in the Hawaiian islands and the dynamic environments that it possesses. Many times my creations are manifested in providing images, objects and resources to myself, as reminders of our, as humans, incredible capabilities to alter our surroundings, but with consciousness.

Such as Malu PuOali, translates to"Peaceful Warrior". The Koa Sculpture that you see here. It was begun about 5 years ago...rough cut. It was in my work space as a piece left unfinished for that time. In September 08 I received the prospectus about the Hawaii Craftsmen and decided to finish the piece. It became a type of power piece for me ...a totem, some say tiki, if you will, although I have never cared for many of the large carved tiki's around Hawaii. As pieces of work they are impressive, yet they don't fill me up. My feelings are not thankful. Why do they have to be so fierce all the time. I can understand the reasoning, from an socio-political anthro-archaeological perspective...for some of them, but rarely do you see many creations (from Hawaii's Past) that provide for the scope of peace, meditation, vibrancy.