Castle Rock is for Lovers

John & Suzy Fukuyama (2014) 8" x 10" hand cut paper, Sumi ink

"Tule Lake opened May 26, 1942, detaining persons of Japanese descent removed from western Washington, Oregon and Northern California. With a peak population of 18,700, Tule Lake was the largest of the camps - the only one converted into a maximum-security segregation center, ruled under martial law and occupied by the Army." (excerpt from the DENSHO website) 

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The inspiration for my newest exhibition comes from my longing to learn about my Japanese American heritage. 


My great grandparents and grandparents on my father's side were incarcerated at Tule Lake Internment Camp for the duration of WWII. 

Tule Lake barracks with Castle Rock in background image from DENSHO archives

Image courtesy of Clara Hattori

Recently, I discovered a collection of photo albums my grandmother's older sister, Clara, began collecting in the 1930s. The photos tell Clara's story as a young woman working as a tour guide through the Japanese Pavillion's silk-making exhibition at the 1939 World's Fair in San Francisco. 


Later, they show a life lived behind bars at Tule Lake Camp. Despite the hardships many of her photos from this time depict young couples, posing and smiling as they seem to try to make the best of their situation.

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Image courtesy of Clara Hattori

Drawing on these photos for inspiration, I combined my usual paper cutting techniques with Sumi ink to create a new type of paper cutaway. This new collection of pieces will be on display in the Cornish College of the Arts Alumni Gallery October 15- December 10, 2014. 

Mother, Asa (2014) Hand Cut Paper, Sumi Ink 20" x 30"