Wilfred Yamasawa

Wilfred Yamasawa was born and raised in Honaunau, Kona on a coffee farm. He received BFA and MFA degrees in sculpture at the University of Hawai‘i, Manoa, began working in glass in 1977, and started his own studio in 1980.

He works in glass from March through August, and runs his coffee farm from September through February. Wilfred’s work has been widely shown in juried exhibits throughout the state and is represented in mainland galleries. He is also an accomplished poet with both Hawai‘i and national literary publications to his credit.

“The island of Hawai‘i provides me with a rich source of imagery to translate into my work—the deep blues of the water off the Kona shore, the shapes and colors of our exotic plants, the power and drama of our volcanoes. Each piece I make is created solely as a work of art. Unlike most other materials sculptors use, glass allows me to think of “painted forms” because of the dynamic play of light, color and form.”