Some of the most unfortunate effects of war are on non-combatants. During World War II, more than 100,000 Japanese-Americans were held without being accused of any crimes at the Topaz War Relocation Center, close to Delta, Utah, and at nine other remote prison camps in the western United States.
Some of the internees created artworks during their confinement, and this exhibit will display works from prisoners at Topaz, on loan from the Topaz Museum. Works of art by Chiura Obata, Setsu Nagata Kanehara, Charles Erabu Mikami, Miné Okubo (detail from “Mother and Child” is pictured), Thomas Ryosaku Matsuoka, Yajiro Okamoto, Kenji Utsumi and Kaneo Kido will be shown.
It's a poignant reminder of the suffering the prisoners endured: the loss of dignity in the ways they were treated, the difficulties in being removed from their familiar home lives and loved ones, and the pain of being deprived of their freedoms in the country they had taken as their new home--these are all given voice in these moving works.
As part of the show, on Feb. 3 at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, there will be a screening of the documentary Unfinished Business, about three young Japanese-Americans who refused to obey the Wartime Relocation Act. This Oscar-nominated film will be followed by a panel discussion with poet Lawson Inada and activist attorney Mark Alvarez. Also, Utah Arts & Museums is presenting a reading of Plan-B Theatre Company's Block 8 on Feb. 4 at the Salt Lake Buddhist Temple (211 W. 100 South). Visit the Topaz Exhibit blog for a complete list of events. (Brian Staker)
Topaz: Artists In Internment @ Rio Gallery, 300 S. Rio Grande St. (455 West), 801-533-3582, through Feb. 10, all events free. RioGallery.org, TopazExhibit.blogspot.com
Date: Jan 27, 2012
Time: All Day
Phone: 801-533-3582
Address: 300 S. Rio Grande (455 W), Salt Lake City, 84101
Where: Rio Gallery
