FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 25, 1997

PRESS CONTACTS:

Chris Komai - ckomai@janm.org - 213-830-5648

JANM

"Kenjiro Nomura: An Artist's View of the Japanese American Internment" exhibition opens October 4, 1997


The Japanese American National Museum opens a new exhibit, Saturday, October 4, 1997. Kenjiro Nomura: An Artist’s View of the Japanese American Internment highlights the images created by artist Kenjiro Nomura while he was incarcerated in the Minidoka concentration camp in Hunt, Idaho. Already an established and prolific artist when he and his family were forcibly removed from their home in Seattle and placed in Minidoka, Nomura used whatever material he could find to create the art now treasured by family and friends for their artistic and historical value. While his incarceration placed his artistic career on hold, it did not stop him from painting. His portraits of daily rituals tell the story of camp life, while his landscapes provide the stark reality of the view greeting prisoners every day. The exhibition provides an opportunity to view a portion of this important collection of works.

The Japanese American National Museum is located at 369 E. First Street in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles. For more information on the Museum or exhibit call 213.625.0414.