Hawaiian Girl c. 19th century

Editor: This is Joseph Andrews’s “Hawaiian Girl,” housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a portrait, yet the woman seems so distant. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see a layering of cultural projections. The lei, the hairstyle – they are potent symbols of Hawaiian identity. But consider: what does "Hawaiian Girl" signify when viewed through a Western artistic lens, laden with its own biases and exoticism? Editor: So, it's not just about the woman herself but about what she represents within a broader historical context. Curator: Precisely. Images are never neutral. They carry the weight of history, power, and cultural exchange. The meaning shifts across time and perspective. Editor: I hadn't considered how much the title itself shapes my perception. Thanks! Curator: Indeed! Thinking about who is looking and why is an important skill for any young art student.