Red Sails - Arman Manookian

A modernist depiction of Pacific island life by Arman Manookian, featuring bold red sails and simplified, rhythmic forms.

Arman Manookian, an American artist who settled in Hawaii, produced this work during the late 1920s. His style reflects a synthesis of modernist simplification and the specific visual culture of the Pacific. In Red Sails, the composition relies on bold, flat planes of colour and strong outlines to define the figures and the environment. The scene depicts a coastal gathering, with figures interacting near outrigger canoes. The large, crimson sails serve as the primary visual anchor, contrasting against the deep blue sky and the surrounding foliage.

Manookian often utilised a palette that favoured high-contrast hues, moving away from traditional academic realism. The figures are rendered with a sense of stylised grace, their forms simplified to emphasise their movement and posture. The foreground is occupied by a collection of rounded, organic shapes representing fruit or local produce, which adds a sense of abundance to the scene. The trees and vegetation are treated as decorative elements, framing the activity on the shore. This approach to composition creates a sense of order and balance, despite the activity depicted.

His work is frequently associated with the development of a distinct visual identity for Hawaii in the early 20th century. By focusing on the daily life and natural environment of the islands, Manookian created images that were both modern in their execution and specific in their subject matter. The lack of deep perspective and the emphasis on two-dimensional patterns align his work with broader modernist trends of the era, yet the subject remains firmly grounded in his experience of the Pacific. This print captures the clarity of his vision and the boldness of his colour choices, offering a clear view of his contribution to regional art history.