Herb Kawainui Kane (American, 1928 - 2011) "Marshallese Racing Canoes - Kor kor" Signed lower right. Original Acrylic painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting was originally published on the First Day Cover for the Republic of the Marshall Islands 32c Racing Canoe stamp issued July 10, 1997. The kor kor is a small rowing canoe, often rigged with a sail and capable of carrying one or two people. It was specially designed for fishing and travel inside the protected waters of lagoons in the Marshall Islands, which are separated from the open sea by barrier coral reefs. After World War II and the growth of Western civilization on the Marshall Islands, the art of canoe building began a significant decline. Today, this ancient craft has been revived by the Waan Aelon Kein Project, organized to foster canoe building skills among Marshallese. Though the art of canoe building was at one time restricted to certain families, today most Marshallese can construct canoes and the valuable skill is widespread among those living on the atolls in the region. Image Size: 17.75 x 24 in. Overall Size: 20 x 26 in. Unframed. (B14573) See More