About the Artist

Henry K. Inouye, Jr.

                                -27 May 2004, Mirabile, Missouri
    It is with profound regret we note the passing of Henry K. Inouye, Jr.
    Henry was a historian, theologian, artist and great friend of the Far West Cultural Center. We will all miss him very much. We send our love and heartfelt condolences to Henry's wonderful wife Helen. Aloha and Mahalo dear friend, it was an honor to know you. -Mike Riggs

    Henry Inouye successfully combined a career in art with religious studies. He studied at Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa, and received a bachelor's degree in art history and in fine arts from the University of Hawaii. He also majored in fine art at the Kansas City Art Institute and commercial art at the Art Center in Los Angeles. Later he earned a master's degree in religion from the Claremont School of Theology in California, and pursued postgraduate courses at Park College.

    He was a published author as well, with Roy Cheville: Explorer of Spiritual Frontiers (Independence, MO: Herald Publishing House, 1996), and essays in Restoration Studies V, VI, and IX and Restoration Witness magazine. Henry was an active member of the Mormon History Association, John Whitmer Historical Association, and Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation.

    Born in Independence, Missouri, he owned and managed an advertising and public relations agency in Hawaii for many years, while raising his family, before moving back to Independence.

    In addition to a portrait series that is featured at the Kirtland Temple Historic Center, Henry has recently taken an interest in creating historical illustrations for the purpose of visually reinterpreting events which occurred throughout church history. His work combined extensive research with a fresh, contemporary style and an extraordinary feeling for color to create unique historical illustrations.