The museum is deeply saddened by the death last Wednesday of James Jensen, a longtime member of its ‘ohana. Known affectionately as “Jim” by his family and “Jay” by his many friends, co-workers and business acquaintances here and on the mainland, he devoted his professional career to the Honolulu Academy of Arts and The Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, and, finally, the Honolulu Museum of Art—the organization formed by the merging of the two institutions he loved so much. (Pictured above: Jay at the museum in 1986, when he was curator of Western art.)
Do a search for “Jensen” on this blog and you’ll see many posts that give an idea of his wide-ranging work at the museum. We especially like this one he wrote about visiting a kindergarten class at Punahou to see artwork students created in response to the David Hockney installation at Spalding House.
Jay Jensen examines slides of artwork in 1981, when he was assistant curator at the Honolulu Academy of Arts.
“Jay was the consummate curator,” says museum trustee Sharon Twigg-Smith, who was a close friend of Jay’s. “He lived and breathed art. He was a walking encyclopedia of art facts. He had perfect recall of artists, titles, exhibitions, and museums—anything related to the art world. He never forgot names, or dates and could provide any detail of a collector’s history at a moment’s notice. His years of curating at The Contemporary Museum will never be forgotten by a community of art lovers who benefited greatly from his interest in bringing unforgettable exhibitions to our shores.”
HoMA deputy director Allison Wong, counts Jay as a mentor and great friend. “I had the great pleasure of working alongside Jay for more than 20 years,” she says. “He had a wealth of knowledge and a photographic memory and was truly the force behind the contemporary art scene in Hawai‘i. He had a keen eye to recognize emerging artists and gave many artists their first museum shows. He always made time for our local art community and never missed an exhibition opening or a chance for a studio visit. His contributions are too many to count and I am pleased to have been along for the ride learning from the very best. Our community has lost a true art hero and his work had made a huge impact on our creative economy.”
After earning a B.A. in Art History and an M.A. in Arts Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jay moved to Hawai‘i in 1976 to work as the administrative assistant to then director Jim Foster. From there he became the museum’s publications editor, then assistant curator, and then curator of Western art. Then in 1991 he moved to the newly established Contemporary Museum, Honolulu, where he was associate director and chief curator. When the two museums became one as the Honolulu Museum of Art, Jensen was made curator of contemporary art.
In recent years, Honolulu residents experienced his curatorial skills in exhibitions such as Serious Fun: Thurston Twigg-Smith and Contemporary Art, Courage and Strength: Portraits of Those Who Have Served, and Decisive Moments: Photographs from the Collection of Cherye R. and James F. Pierce. In addition, Jay worked closely with Hawai‘i artists, whose work he featured in a space dedicated to Hawai‘i contemporary art. Diane KW Chen, Wendy Kawabata, John Koga, Kapulani Landgraf, Deborah G. Nehmad, Maya Lea Portner, and Paul Pfeiffer are just a few of the artists who worked with Jensen on installations for the space.
“Like most emerging artists in this town, I was intimidated by Jay because I respected him so much for his encyclopedic knowledge and bottomless passion for art as well as his unbelievable talent for curating shows,” says Nehmad, who in addition to being one of Hawai‘i’s most noted artists is also a museum docent. “As I got to know him while I was a docent, I was still intimidated, but his open door and unassuming manner started to put me at ease. When he first purchased my piece at a Honolulu Printmakers exhibition for The Contemporary Museum’s collection, I was ecstatic because I didn’t have a clue as to what he thought of my art. I felt like I had just been awarded my Ph.D. He was an incredible advocate for local artists, curating the Biennials at TCM and visiting every local art show he could get to. I was so honored when he offered me a show at HoMA and I got to work with him again. I was also honored to be able to call him my friend. I can’t imagine this community without him. I know that when I make my work from now on, I will always wonder what Jay would have thought of it.”
Jay Jensen, fourth from left, leads a group, which includes museum trustees, on an art tour of New Orleans
Jay’s influence was felt outside Hawai‘i as well. “He was well known on the mainland in every major city with a museum, and in all the many galleries he frequented, where he was on a first-name basis with many of the gallery directors and staff,” says Twigg-Smith. “He had relationships with major collectors all over the world, and many of the gifts that continue to come into the doors of the Honolulu Museum of Art, are directly related to his cultivated relationships with collectors who became aware of our museum through Jay. Through his numerous friendships with artists and museum directors, Jay was able to organize and lead museum-sponsored trips to mainland and international landmarks in Chicago, New York, Seattle, Houston and Japan, that were always enhanced by visits to the homes of artists and private collectors.”
Those who don’t know Jay well might be surprised to learn that the urbane art curator was born in Waupaca, Wisconsin, on July 10, 1949, and grew up on a farm. While one of his two brothers took over the farming operation, Jay pursued a life of art.
Jay’s knowledge of the museum’s collection was encyclopedic, and staff often consulted him for his institutional memory of both of the museum’s locations. He also made personal donations of art to the collection. He leaves an indelible legacy at the museum and will be greatly missed. To honor that legacy, the museum has created the James Jensen Acquisition Fund (see below).
James Jensen at the Honolulu Museum of Art in 2011
Celebration of life
There will be a celebration of life on April 29, at the Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House. The service will begin promptly at 11am. Parking at Spalding House is reserved. The museum offers free shuttle service from the Honolulu Museum of Art School (1111 Victoria St.), which will run continuously from 9:30am to 3:45pm. Additional parking is available in the museum staff parking lot at 1035 Kinau St.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the James Jensen Acquisition Fund for Contemporary Art. Make checks payable to the Honolulu Museum of Art, 900 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96814. Note on the check that it is for the James Jensen Acquisition Fund for Contemporary Art.
4.17.2017
Jay was a great person and a great curator. His impact on our community was truly enormous. He will be missed so much. Our condolences to his family.
I was saddened to hear about the passing of Jay Jensen. Jay not only brought in some of the finest contemporary artists in the US and around the world to exhibit their work here in Hawaii, but was always very interested in and supportive of the artists in Hawaii. As an emerging artist, I always felt Jay’s unwavering support for myself and so many other young artists in Hawaii. This is a huge loss for the Hawaii Arts community.
It is with truly a great sadness to hear of Jim’s passing. I knew him many years ago, a couple times visiting him in Honolulu and during his several visits to DC and NY. What a very fine person he was. I loved talking to him about art and loved having him visit with me. He was kind and generous to me. My heart goes out to his colleagues and certainly to his family.
Tom Gilling
Jay was truly a powerful force in the Hawaii art community and he will be missed.
it is with the deepest sadness that I received the news of Jay’s death… far too soon and he will be sorely missed. margaret.
Although I did not meet him directly, he juried my work into many exhibitions. I am grateful for his support and for the artists he brought to show in Honolulu. RIP Jay.
I lost a good friend and my greatest supporter of my art in the State of Hawaii this week. Jay Jensen , the curator of the Honolulu Museum of art past away. Jay had been supporting my art for almost 20 years. Featuring my art in many exhibits at the Honolulu Contemporary Museum as well as the Honolulu Museum of art. Jay was a big supporter of the contemporary wood art movement, building one of the best museum collections of wood art in the United States. Not only did Jay support me but many other artists from Hawaii. Jay gave me my first museum sole exhibit 15 years ago, and gave me my second solo exhibit at the Honolulu Museum of Art this year. RIP Jay, you will be missed but never forgotten.
Jay was a dear friend. I am grateful to have known him and shared time with him. I will miss him. We, especially in the Hawaii art community, were so lucky to have such a gentle and caring person as part of the fabric of our lives. He brought a wonderful presence and generosity.
Rie and I were shocked and saddened to hear of Jay’s death. I have known Jay since 1989 when I arrived in Honolulu for a position as Senior Painting Conservator at PRCC/Bishop Museum and Rie since 2001. He was always supportive of our work and his knowledge of local and contemporary art was impressive. We will miss him dearly.
The breadth and depth of the chasm Jay leaves behind is not measurable….not only in our museum, but in our hearts as well. Aloha, Jay, and thank you for all you’ve done and shared.
Jay Jensen was a truly gifted art historian and curator. I had the pleasure of knowing and working with him on various projects over the years. He will be missed by so many both here in Hawaii and abroad.
Jay was a longtime dear friend and personal art hero. A curator with his warmth, depth and wealth of knowledge doesn’t exist in any museum anywhere. What a great loss to Hawaii and to the art world. We will never forget Jay’s generous spirit and the art education he parceled out so freely. His support and devotion of art giants and talented unknowns are immeasurable.
Jay Jensen was a exceptional curator, art historian, and a friend who made a difference to so many artists and people’s lives. I had the pleasure to meet him 27 years ago at the opening of the Contemporary Art Museum and the David Hockney painting/installation in the pavilion building. My mother Holly Solomon, was a friend of his and Thurston Twigg-Smith, and invited us to the opening. Jay’s giving to artists, professionals, and the public was unparalleled in all that he did and accomplished. He constantly fought for art and artists vision throughout his life. I was lucky to have known him and his support of younger artists and new ideas was always first and foremost. He cared about art and history and gave whatever he could to further the culture and lives of people he touched and did not know as well. His love of the Museum and of Hawaii was so present in all he did and shared so beautifully. I last saw him jurying an art exhibition at the MAC Center in Maui as we had dinner with me and my wife last summer on Maui. I followed and admired his amazing vision and professional dedication in every aspect. When I worked for Peter and Eileen Norton in 1999 in charge of a Museum donation program, I made a special visit to Honolulu to meet with Jay to see what art I could help the Museum from the donations program that I headed for the Norton’s. I discussed much with him and found Robert Arneson artworks that Peter and Eileen had to supplement the collection of the Museum. His contribution to the Museum he loved was so enormous and gifts he helped acquire both in donation and acquisition were outstanding. I was always in awe and moved by his caring for all and wish him great success in another realm curating and giving much to everyone the way he had on earth. With Mahalo and Love I send my sincere condolences to all that were touched by him and his life.
I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Jay. It comes as a shock across the continent tonight– news coming from Honolulu to where I am residing now in the Twin Cities. Jay and I were in college at UW-Madison at the same time, he in Art History and me in the Art Department. Unbeknownst to me then, he had already purchased a couple of my art photographs from very early work done in grad school. We reconnected in Milwaukee in the 1980’s and he curated a show of my color photographs at the Contemporary Museum of Honolulu in 1994. He visited me many times at home in Wisconsin during his many visits to the US. He kept in touch about my work and was so helpful and supportive. I learned so much from him; he indeed had such a wide interest in, and love for the fine arts. He arrived to visit me at my family home in the woods in the middle of a snowstorm one winter night…….I still have a picture in my head of opening up the door to see Jay dragging a suitcase up our long drive in the snow, having left the cab down at the bottom of the hill. He was such a caring man. I will miss him as a close friend and a colleague. The world is a lonelier place tonight without Jay in it.
What a grievous loss…I am profoundly saddened. Jay was an exceptionally kind and thoughtful friend and made a point of staying in regular touch even when I had left the islands. He advised and consulted with me about my museum’s William Eggleston exhibition of this past year as if he were on the staff – – with an extraordinarily genuine level of interest, supportiveness, and collegiality that was so characteristic of him. Thank you, Jay, for everything – – we will all miss you, deeply
I too am Truly Saddened to hear of the loss of our Dear Friend Jay! Yes, he was Art, a Master Piece of God that Inspired Creativity in so many of us to Shine Brighter. Thank You Jay ❤ Aloha & Mahalo.
Jim Foster, formerly Director of the Academy, gave Jay Jensen his first significant curatorial assignment in Honolulu, when he put him in charge of the Focus Gallery in the 1980s. There, Jay introduced us to avant garde American contemporary mainland art, and began to hone his instinct for recognizing the most significant emerging talents and major trends in the art of his time. His really good ‘eye,’ his impeccable taste, his sensitivity to direct, authentic expressions, well crafted in the full range of visual arts media, was obvious from this beginning of his career. What was truly remarkable, too, was Jay’s great love for traditional arts across cultures, and his ongoing, concentrated, private as well as professional, research in all the visual arts.
The span and depth of Jay’s connoisseurship made his installations of museums’ permanent collections provocative and refreshing experiences. His exhibitions of borrowed materials likewise displayed his comprehensive knowledge, his respect for the integrity of individual objects, and their place in the aesthetic assemblages he created by virtue of his selections and perceptive juxtapositions. Many of these productions were works of art in their own right.
I recall Jay as the gentlest and kindest of men, who always spoke well of others (or held his tongue). He will be sorely missed by those of us who were fortunate to be one of his associates.
I am saddened to learn of Jay’s passing. Jay Jensen was an exemplary curator and will be missed by all. He was a frequent visitor to my gallery, and a constant supporter of artists. His thoughtful and studious manner, reflected in his considerate and courteous comments, was always welcome. As noted by Thomas Solomon above, Jay had an amazing vision and demonstrated professional dedication. My condolences to the museum, his colleagues, and most of all to his family.
When I first started at the museum in 1980, Jay was already the Curator of Western Art here. As curator, among a myriad of other things, he was in charge of our annual juried Artists of Hawaii exhibitions, of which I was the coordinator. I worked closely with him on each of the shows for 11 years, until his move to The Contemporary Museum in 1991.
Back then, artists submitted slides of their work as part of the first jurying process. I remember in particular 1990 being a record year, where 470 artists from the State of Hawaii submitted 1,174 of their works for consideration.
A mainland juror would view all of the slides (typically over 2,000) and select the works that he or she wanted to see in person for a final jurying. The artists then delivered their works to the museum and they were stacked and lined up in a vacant gallery, where the juror with Jay would examine each one. I remember always being amazed by Jay’s wealth of knowledge; he seemed to know the background of each artist presented, and would share that information with the jurors.
I will always remember Jay as a quiet, gentle giant in his field, and I am forever grateful to have had the privilege of working with him and witnessing his support of young, emerging artists as well as those who were more established. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family; I hope you find some comfort in seeing and hearing how he has made such an impact on so many people’s lives.
The thing about thinking about Jay’s life, I can’t help but remember parts of my own life and the work I did around and for Jay as a film and video curator. And as I account in bits of memory for all that I did, with his support and quiet enthusiasm and belief in me…I feel better about myself in the remembering. A person who so simply yet profoundly touches your life in that way is love in action. Love you Jay.
Jim (as we called him then) was a student of mine in the dept. of Integrated LIberal Studies (I was a Teaching Assistant) at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in about 1968 when I first met him. Subsequently, in 1971 I hired him for the summer to do cataloguing work at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum–King which was near his parents’ dairy farm outside Waupaca. I recall being invited to dinner at his parents’ one hot summer evening in 1971 and getting a tour of the dairy barn–with explanations–beforehand. A bit later in the 1970s, he and I were fellow students in the Arts Administration master’s degree program in the Graduate School of Business at Wisconsin. In all those casual contacts over the years he ways kept me abreast of the art situation in Madison–not my field and a subject about which I knew little. His death–I think of him still as young–was a shock for me.