Forgiveness by Jane DeDecker for Hawaii

Update 4/30/2024: “Forgiveness" is home.

​A universal figure representative of a tūtū with outstretched arm draped in colorful leis as an offering to her island in an expression of aloha, compassion, gratitude, and acceptance.

The benevolent gesture of Forgiveness is symbolic of the traditional Hawaiian customs of aloha and ho’okipa, the Native Hawaiian values of hospitality and giving. Native Hawaiians have always believed in selflessly extending themselves to others, whether they had close ties with them or not. Housing this sentiment at the Women’s Community Correctional Center is fitting as a place where women can individually grow and contribute to the greater community. The more one cares for the world, the greater the world will sustain and provide.

May this artwork provide a positive space for the women, workers, and visitors. A place one can sit and reflect, seek guidance, see themselves in her, or someone they love. -Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild

Special thanks to Ultimate Innovations for hardscape, landscape and installation services. Madd Castings and DeDecker Studio who cast and finished the bronze sculpture, Shipper's Supply for getting the artwork to Hawai'i safely. And to Kamakani and Alex from the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the WCCC committee for collaborating on the placement. We hope it makes all of Hawai'i proud.

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Update 4/17/2024: The footing has been formed and set by Ultimate Innovations in Hawaii, and the sculpture is custom crated and shipped by Shipper's Supply in Colorado. Our preparations are coming together for an end of the month install.

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Update 4/1/2024: Jane DeDecker has applied the patina on “Forgiveness” and this beautiful sculpture has come to life. This step adds so much depth and richness to an already incredible sculpt. “Forgiveness” will be installed in Hawaii at the end of April, it will be wonderful to see how the site will further enhance this piece.

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Update 3/27/2024: We're getting really excited about this sculpture progress. It has been cast in bronze at Madd Castings and the metal chasing has been finished this week at DeDecker Studio. Our team has grown to include a landscape group in Hawaii who are preparing the site for "Forgiveness" to be installed at the end of April.

Next up is Patina - can't wait to see the vibrant color on the lei.

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Jane DeDecker, NSG Fellow, puts last touches on her sculpture "Forgiveness" slated for installation in Hawaii in Spring.

1/31/2024: Jane DeDecker has been hard at work on the sculpture "Forgiveness" for the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. Isn't she gorgeous with the armful of lei's extended to the island?

The sculpture enlargement has been approved and DeDecker Studio have been creating the mold and pouring waxes to ready the artwork for the foundry - Madd Castings - to cast in bronze. Our team has been working with the committee to pick the right spot for "Forgiveness" at the WCCC's new facility. 

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After our initial site visit, Jane worked through some conceptual 'sketching' in the sand. All we can say is she #NailedIt! We can't wait to see what she does back in the studio for the monument. Sculptors are incredible!

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Update: 9/13/23 
​Jane DeDecker and the National Sculptors' Guild were selected by Hawaii's State Foundation on Culture and Arts for a sculpture placement at their renovated Ho'okipa Cottages, a part of the Women's Correctional Facility. We are really pleased that our concept has been approved by the commissioners and we are into the next phase of realizing this beautiful sculpture as a monumental bronze for the community.

She is a universal figure of compassion and acceptance, representative of a Tutu (grandmother). It is our hope that this figure will provide a positive space for the women, workers and visitors, where one can sit and reflect, seek guidance, see themselves in her, or someone they love. 

The design is of a female figure seated with outstretched arm draped in Hawaiian lei’s that she is offering to her fellow Hawaiians and the island at large; in an expression of aloha; compassion, gratitude and acceptance.

"Beyond a greeting, aloha can describe a deep love and respect for people—including oneself—and places. The ancient kahunas (priests) taught that living the Spirit of Aloha meant sending and receiving positive energy to everything and everyone in your environment." (PBS, American Masters)

The benevolent gesture of the sculpture is symbolic of the traditional Hawaiian customs of 'Aloha' and 'Ho'okipa', the Native Hawaiian value of hospitality and giving. Native Hawaiians have always believed in selflessly extending themselves to others, whether they had close ties with them or not. This is an ideal sentiment for artwork representing the renovated Ho'okipa Cottage, where women learn ways they can individually grow and contribute to the greater community. The more one cares for the world, the greater the world will sustain and provide.