Permanent Collection Objects

Juneau—Douglas City Museum

2016.10.003 A—B

2016.10

Purchase of this artwork has been made possible through the generous support of the Rasmuson Foundation.

Sculpture

Issei/Nisei (First Generation/Second Generation)

Fumi Matsumoto

Artist

2007

Sculptural art work consisting of two wooden bird houses covered in a collage of family photographs and Japanese newspaper. The bird houses are rectangular with a pitched roof. On the front of each there are two circular holes. Below each opening is a cylindrical post which extends approximately one inch (1").

"Issei/Nisei" is a mixed media piece that I created to honor my parents and grandparents. "Issei" means the first generation that came to America from Japan and "Nisei" are the second generation that were born in the United States of immigrant parents. The two bird houses are covered with Japanese newspaper and family photographs of my parents and grandparents. Many of the photos I use in my work were taken by my grandfather, Wakaji Matsumoto, a professional photographer who acquired his skills in photography in Southern California around the turn of the century. Over 10,000 photos that he took of pre—bombed Hiroshima were donated to the City of Hiroshima and are on display at the Atomic Bomb Museum in Japan. The past experiences of my family and ancestors as well as other Issei and Nisei pioneers has been inspirational for me and much of my art work reflects themes related to the history of my family and Japanese Americans.
——— statement from artist, Fumi Matusmoto

Matusmoto, Fumi

WW2
Art
Sculpture
Japanese
Internment