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Chiura Obata: A Beacon of Resilience and Artistic Brilliance

Writer's picture: Julie McVeyJulie McVey

Chiura Obata, a prominent Japanese American artist, has left an indelible mark on the art world with his unique blend of American and Japanese traditions. His work, characterized by beautifully rendered landscapes and traditional Japanese subjects, is a testament to his resilience and perseverance


Setting Sun of Sacramento Valley by Chiura Obata

The Artist and His Journey


Born in Okayama, Japan, in 1885, Obata immigrated to the United States in 1903.


Chiura Obata was among the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly relocated and interned in camps during World War II. He was interned at the Manzanar Internment Camp near Lone Pine, California.


During my tenure as a Firefighter in Ridgecrest, CA, I drove out to Manzanar to learn about the history, and I've never forgotten the stories I read about those who lived there.


The Manzanar Internment Camp was located in a desolate and hot desert, about 15 minutes north of Lone Pine and the Alabama Hills. Thousands of Japanese Americans were forced to relocate there for three years during WWII.


Despite the harsh conditions, Obata’s love for America remained undampened. His 11-month internment did not dampen his love of America, but it changed the essence of his art. During his time at the camp, Obata founded art schools and taught hundreds of students. He even held an exhibition in 19421.


The internment camp had a profound impact on Obata’s work. The experience of living in such conditions, coupled with the resilience of the internees, influenced his art and deepened his appreciation for "Great Nature". His art from this period reflects the strength and spirit of the Japanese American community during a time of great adversity.


Despite the hardships, Obata used his art to bring hope and beauty to those around him. His work serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. His time at the Manzanar Internment Camp is a testament to his perseverance and his unwavering love for art and teaching.



Mono Crater by Chiura Obata, 1930

The Colors, Symbolism, Forms, and Compositions


Chiura Obata’s art is renowned for its ability to evoke deep emotional responses in those who view it.


His work, characterized by beautifully rendered landscapes and traditional Japanese subjects, is a testament to his resilience and perseverance. His art, characterized by the use of black ink or sumi, allows the expressions of elegance and life.


This form of art can invoke feelings of tranquility and peace in the viewer, providing a therapeutic experience.


Obata’s art and life comprise the epitome of resilience, an artistic meta-narrative of the immigrant’s faith in the American experiment that still remarkably supersedes generation after generation of ugly xenophobic and bigoted expressions and actions.


His sensitivity imbues not only Obata’s celebrated, powerful landscapes from later decades, but finds a tragic echo in both his deeply felt depictions of his and his family’s incarceration in the 1940s and his reaction to the bombing of Hiroshima.


After the war, Obata returned to his callings as a painter, teacher and cultural ambassador with scars that brought new emotional force to his work. The exhibition’s final pictures are increasingly expressive visions that translate a lifetime of dreams, disappointments and triumphs into familiar elements of the natural world.


Obata’s work is a blend of American and Japanese traditions, showcasing his mastery of traditional Japanese subjects, such as Ikebana flower arrangements, and his signature style of blending these with modernist watercolor techniques. His art is a celebration of the grandeur of “Great Nature” and a compelling personal story of an immigrant and an American.


The Influence on Obata’s Work


Obata was influenced by the stunning landscapes of the Sierra Nevada, which inspired his concept of Dai-Shizen or “Great Nature,” the power of the natural world to influence us in a positive way. He was also influenced by his father, a painter and drawing instructor at a local high school.



A Snow Storm Nearing Yosemite Government Center by Chiura Obata 1939

Closing Insights


In conclusion, Chiura Obata’s art is not just visually stunning, but it also carries a profound emotional depth. His work is a testament to his resilience, his love for art, and his ability to blend different art traditions. His work continues to inspire artists and art lovers alike, serving as a reminder of the power of art to heal, to express, and to transcend cultural boundaries.

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