Uprooted

The K Gallery at Rhythmix Cultural Works presents Uprooted, an exhibit honoring the spirit and resilience of those affected by the Japanese internment of WWII, June 11th - July 30th. An opening reception will be held Saturday, June 11th from 2:00 - 4:00pm featuring live music by Akira Tana.

During WWII over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were uprooted from their homes, communities and jobs and involuntarily sent to live in guarded barracks – internment camps located in desolate parts of America. The images and writings in Uprooted reveal different aspects of this shared memory of loss and relocation.

Uprooted features calligraphy from the Heart Mountain Tachibana Ginsha, “standing flower poetry club,” typed letters written by newlywed May Okada while interned at Tule Lake, along with the work of contemporary artists Dana Kawano, Scott Tsuchitani and Ellen Bepp.

All three Japanese American contemporary artists are influenced by this same dark moment in history.

Dana Kawano’s Kasa Project gives visual interpretation to stories told by survivors of the Japanese American incarceration. Scott Tsuchitani investigates visual culture as dynamic process by combining poignant narrative with unexpected humor and latent stereotype. Ellen Bepp’s paper cut-outs give voice to her Japanese cultural roots while addressing issues of political identity, social injustice and displacement.