In the 1940’s over 120,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned in internment camps. From the newborn baby to the aging grandfather, all their lives were changed dramatically. Now only photos, stories, and rock rubble remain of that time. The art quilts and poetry in this series try to capture the spirit of what remains over 60 years later. For the past six years my work has focused on the hardships that Japanese Americans faced during internment in World War II. This work was done in collaboration with Margaret Chula, an internationally known haiku poet. Each piece was made from the viewpoint of a different person who was interned in the camps such as a father, a young boy, a grandmother, or a young girl whose brother went off to war. Photographs, letters, and historical documents were used as background information in addition to visiting with people who took part in this piece of American History. Return to the Home page for information regarding Cathy Erickson and Margaret Chula's |
Radiance - 44" x 22.5" |
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A Girl's Lace Blouse - 10" x 8" |
Shikata ga nai Rage was not something we were allowed to feel My father was a ‘no-no man,’ checking ‘No’ After eight months in the internment camp, Mother and the other women in camp After the war, General Stillwell pinned --------------------------------------------- Issei: immigrants born in Japan |
Carpenter's Quilt - 32" x 14" |
Bunny Dreams (Sides 1 and 2) - 20" x 49" each |
Falling Blossoms - 8" x 10"
Serendipity - 14" x 18"
Remembering Tradition (with detail) - 18" x 29" |
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FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARTWORK CONTACT CATHY BELOW
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