The ceramic sculptures of Kauai-based artist David Kuraoka are diverse and breathtaking – wheel-thrown and altered pit-fired forms with glazes and underglazes, delicate porcelains and painted bronze sculptures.

As featured artist for the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, some of Kuraoka’s most recent works, along with a wide range of sculptures, paintings and mixed media works by Hawaii’s up and coming artists, are on display as part of the chamber’s 39th Annual “Commitment to Excellence” Art Exhibition.

A team of jurors including Rod Bengston, gallery director of the University of Hawaii Art Galleries; Healoha Johnston, assistant curator from the Hono­lulu Museum of Art; and Grant Kagimoto, president of Cane Haul Road; selected the works by more than 40 artists for the exhibit.

Kuraoka was influenced by the minimalist movement, followed by abstract expressionism while getting a master’s degree in ceramics at San Jose State University in California. He has been working with clay for five decades, and holds an honorary degree equivalent to a doctorate from San Francisco State, where he was head of the ceramics department and professor emeritus. He’s thrown large-scale pieces weighting 100 pounds as well as small porcelain pieces.

“My design philosophy in creating ceramic sculpture recognizes the beauty of natural forms, combined with a visual language that I believe is universal,” Kuraoka said in an artist’s statement. “My work is abstract and my style simple, clean and crisp, ‘California Slick.’”

The chamber holds the exhibit each year to support artists in Hawaii. It can be viewed through Aug. 17 at the Honolulu Museum of Art School gallery.