Head over to Soundcloud to hear our latest episode with artist Michelle Kumata. Michelle Kumata (she, her), is a 3.5 generation Japanese American artist and Seattle native with a BFA in Illustration from The School of Visual Arts in New York, NY. She worked as a graphic artist at The Seattle Times for over a decade and then served as Exhibit Director at Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience for 12 years. Michelle is influenced by heritage, identity and legacy. She is currently exploring the Japanese diaspora in the U.S. and Brazil through oral histories and visual storytelling. See more of Michelle’s work at michellekumata.com or follow her on Instagram @michellekumata.
In this episode from our series with BIPOC artists on Colonialism, Nationalism, and the harmful illusion of White Supremacy, we talk about Kumata’s time at Wing Luke Museum, her project on the Japanese Diaspora in the US and Brazil.
“Song For Generations”. (2019). Michelle Kumata, acrylic on canvas, 16' x 8'
We also get a deep dive into Kumata’s work "Song For Generations", and how it deals with the Internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Kumata emphasizes the importance of listening to those from historically marginalized communities and really processing what is happening right now, then taking action as individuals to effect positive change. Plus, shoutouts to Wa Na Wari, and founders Elisheba Johnson and Inye Wokoma, as well as artists Roger Shimomura, Erin Shigaki, Louie Gong, and a book recommendation for everyone who is interested in learning more about Bellevue, Washington’s internment of Japanese-American citizens during WWII: Strawberry Days: How Internment Destroyed a Japanese American Community by David A. Neiwert.
