Toots Minvielle Memorial Honor Sculpture
Artist: Edmond Schumpert Year: 1994 Medium: Bronze Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 9 inches Style/Genre: Classical Price: $10,000 Edition Size: Unknown. At least two other replicas.
This sculpture depicts legendary outrigger canoe pioneer Toots Minvielle. He holds a paddle and is seated on a bronze seat. Toots is erect with defined musculature, especially to the back and limbs. He is portrayed realistically as a rower would appear in the act. The outrigger seat is attached to a black lava rock base, which itself is affixed to a koa wood base.
This was one of a handful of sculptures commissioned by Hopping from Schumpert. Others include the Huntington Beach Surfer, the Duke Kahanamoku sculpture, and the distinguished monumental Toots Minvielle Memorial Honor sculpture currently at Honolulu Airport. The original bronze was gifted to the state of Hawaii and now resides at Honolulu Airport; another appears in photos from Toots’ funeral. The archive includes the artist’s portfolio, behind-the-scenes looks, and documents, letters, and photos related to this and other works’ creation, presentation, and administration.
