The Art of Gaman: Arts and Crafts from the Japanese American Internment Camps, 1942-1946
The Art of Gaman showcases arts and crafts made by Japanese Americans detained in U.S. internment camps during World War II in California, Wyoming, Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, and Arkansas. The exhibition features objects made by detainees primarily from scrap and found materials. The collection gives a sense of the wide range of artistic activities among 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans who were unjustly imprisoned.
March 5, 2010 – January 30, 2011
Location:
Renwick Gallery
1661 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (at 17th Street)
Metro:
Farragut North (Red line) or
Farragut West (Blue and Orange lines)
In Japanese, the word gaman means, “enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.” The exhibition also demonstrates the resiliency of the creative mind: how people can create objects of beauty and meaning with humble materials under the most difficult circumstances.
Art of Gaman presents an opportunity to educate a new generation of Americans about the Japanese American internment experience, using archival photographs to provide historical context to the camp artwork.
It will feature more than 120 objects, many of which are on loan from former internees and their families. The exhibition is based on a 2005 book by Hirasuna, The Art of Gaman.
The exhibition is organized by San Francisco-based author and guest curator Delphine Hirasuna, with the cooperation of the San Francisco chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). Additional support for the exhibition comes from the James Renwick Alliance, Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Nion McEvoy, and Cary Frieze.
For additional information and related programs and features associated with The Art of Gaman, visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery website.
I have several samples of the birds and shell jewelry in my possession. Our family has various carved boards as well; we were interned in Amache, Colorado.
These artifacts are truly exquisite. I wish I could view the collection personally.
Thank you for this site.
Kelly
Those are stunning. Each one has so much personality and craftsmanship. Reminds me of the uniqueness of the work of Faberge.
I went to the exhibit and it was truly amazing. I encourage anyone visiting DC to go to it.
What an amazing exhibit!
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I had never heard of this particular kind of art before but I must admit it is indeed something very special. I’m sure the involved japanese people care a lot for these precious pieces of art. Thanks for writing this piece about it.
Very neat and well constructed, sure wish I could see them in person.
“enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.”
It was a sad episode in our nation’s history, but what art came from it! Given the circumstances from which it sprung, it’s even more beautiful
These are just gorgeous. Its amazing how much work goes into making them. If I could get my hands on just one of them, I would give it to my daughter for her birthday. I know she would love it.