Canadian Nikkei Artist
Canadian Nikkei Artist series will focus on those in the Japanese Canadian community who are actively involved in the ongoing evolution: the artists, musicians, writers/poets and, broadly speaking, anybody else in the arts who grapples with their sense of identity. As such, the series will introduce Discover Nikkei readers to a wide range of ‘voices’, both established and emerging, that have something to say about their identity. This series aims to stir this cultural pot of Nikkeiness and, ultimately, build meaningful connections with Nikkei everywhere.
Stories from this series
A Nisei and Yonsei: The Power of Art & Isshoni - Part 1
Aug. 23, 2022 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
The paintings of Dr. Henry Shimizu, retired Edmonton Nisei plastic surgeon, were presented in a show at the University of Victoria’s (UVic) Legacy Gallery entitled Isshoni: Dr. Henry Shimizu’s Paintings of New Denver Internment that brought together Nisei Dr. Shimizu, curators Yonsei Samantha Kuniko Marsh (Vancouver, BC), and Sansei Bryce Kanbara (Hamilton, ON). Well timed during this year, the 80th anniversary of the internment, one might wonder: How are we Japanese Canadians going to remember the internment and, importantly, how …
Ottawa Artist Norman Takeuchi: Scrolling Exhibition
April 14, 2022 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Even in the midst of a global pandemic, restrictions have not slowed down Ottawa Nisei artist Norman Takeuchi who recently launched his second exhibition in two years: Equal Time and this one entitled Scrolling. Takeuchi’s father Nawoki was from Kochi and mother, Miyoko, was born in Vancouver. During World War Two the family stayed in the small Okanagan community of Westwold, BC along with some other Japanese Canadian families. After the war, they returned to Vancouver where his father reestablished his …
The Yume. Digital Dreams Art Project: Shifting Paradigms
April 5, 2022 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
The Yume. Digital Dreams art project The Yume. Digital Dreams art project launched by Julie Tamiko Manning (Montreal) and Matt Miwa (Ottawa), co-Artistic Producers of Tashme Productions, pairs 14 prominent Japanese Canadian artists, working in a process that invites viewers to follow their evolution in bi-monthly updates. The aim is to present a culminating presentation online on May 15, 2022. The project creators reached out to artists who are included in The Japanese Canadian Artists Directory (JCAD) that was launched …
Hastings Park Revisited with Artist Henry Tsang
Sept. 13, 2021 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
I first met artist and professor Henry Tsang back in 2019 at the Powell Street Festival, where he was conducting 360 Riot Walk(ing) tours in the Paueru Gai/Nihonmachi area of Vancouver using iPads and images along the route that white rioters followed in a racist rampage through the Chinatown and Powell Street areas in 1907. The tour is described as follows: “The Anti-Asian Riots were one of the most significant events in the history of Vancouver. 360 Riot Walk is …
Miya Turnbull: The Face Behind the Mask - Part 2
Feb. 26, 2021 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
Read Part 1 >> If you were to design a mask for yourself for these times, what might it look like? My favourite recent mask that has come out of the pandemic is a “Woven” mask. I cut up two self-portrait masks and wove the pieces together. Because they don’t fit exactly together, there are pieces of extra eyes and lips which gives a “glitchy” look to it. The interlaced pieces can be seen in terms of mixed race identity …
Miya Turnbull: The Face Behind the Mask - Part 1
Feb. 25, 2021 • Norm Masaji Ibuki
“The artist is meant to put the objects of this world together in such a way that through them you will experience that light, that radiance which is the light of our consciousness and which all things both hide and, when properly looked upon, reveal.” —Teacher, translator and author, from The Hero With A Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) By now, we all understand what it is to be the face behind the mask, don’t we? Reflecting on this and …
