Eugenia
Jeanie Kashima
8 x 10 inches
2022
ARTIST STATEMENT
I returned to Topaz in April 2022. After almost 80 years, I returned to laundry room #4 where I was born. The cement foundation was the only visible remains of the laundry. Looking around, there were no trees, shrubs, that were planted by my father and others so many years ago. Only greasewood growing in the alkaline soil. Almost 80 years ago this was once a community of over 8,000 Japanese. I marvel at the first and second generation Japanese who survived living here for three years and made the most of their situation. There were wonderful, creative artifacts, drawings, paintings, crafts, sewing, dancing, jewelry, and sports that came forth from this barren, isolated, sterile environment. I am in awe of the creativity and aesthetics that was produced by the Japanese Internees during one of this country’s darkest moments of history.