Artsy Ferret

Go See: Roger Shimomura @ Flomenhaft Gallery, May 8 - June 28

Roger Shimomura, American Infamy #3 (2008) via Flomenhaft Gallery

From May 8 to June 28, the Flomenhaft Gallery in Chelsea presents the work of Roger Shimorura. A mix of pop art and ukiyo-e prints, this exhibit depicts the years the artist was imprisoned in an internment camp here in the US. A dark period of American history, where the US government unjustly and systematically rounded up those of Japanese descent and shipped them to internment camps. Oddly enough, the US was fighting the Nazi’s and what they were doing to the Jews, and yet doing the same. 

Flomenhaft Gallery
Roger Shimomura, Minidoka on My Mind [we make money not art]
Minidoka on My Mind [Art Info] 

Roger Shimomura, Block Dance (2007) via Flomenhaft Gallery

Roger was 2 when he was shipped off to an internment camp, leaving behind everything in seattle.  He was 5 when he was allowed to return back to Seattle. His grandmother, Toku, was an influence over his works. 

Roger Shimomura, Not a J.A. (2008) via Flomenhaft Gallery

His images are that of a child’s memory remembering the barbed wires, and the soldiers with guns watching them. Through a child’s eyes we see what an internment camp is, we see the juxtaposition of what it means to be an american and what war in the pacific really means. We see beauty, hope and a smile through barbed wire.  You are an American but you aren’t really free.

Roger Shimomura, Enemy #2 (2008) via Flomenhaft Gallery

Flomenhaft Gallery
547 West 27th Street, Suite 308
New York, New York 10001
212.268.4952
Tuesday – Saturday: 10am to 5pm  

Roger Shimomura, American Alien #4 (2008)

Interestingly enough, the US government made no public apology or attempted to restore, the houses, property, funds of those they had forcibly interned. They sent out a letter years ago apologizing for their unconstitutional act, as well as violating civil liberties.  Below is just an interesting link related to the internment camp issue.

Former Internees Honored at University of Washington [angry asian man]