The article discusses the legacy and contributions of Japanese American artists during and after World War II, as highlighted in recent exhibitions at major museums. Many artists, including Miki Hayakawa, Hisako Hibi, and Miné Okubo, faced significant challenges and obscurity following their incarceration in camps. The exhibitions aim to reclaim their visibility, recognizing their artistic achievements and historical context, which were often overlooked. The curator, ShiPu Wang, underscores the need to acknowledge these artists as pivotal figures in American Modern art history, thus broadening the narration of art in America.
ShiPu Wang, curator of 'Pictures of Belonging', emphasizes that the featured artists were critically acclaimed before the war, which disrupts the narrative of their obscurity.
Hayakawa's substantial 1929 exhibition saw her showcase 150 paintings, illustrating her prominence as an artist in the 1920s and critically recognized as a 'genius'.
Despite achieving acclaim and visibility before their incarceration, many artists of Japanese descent are often underappreciated in the broader context of American art history.
The exhibitions serve as vital platforms to re-evaluate and elevate the stories of American Modernists from the Japanese diaspora, shedding light on their artistic contributions.
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