My Own Biggest Fan

As a rule I am suspect of art that has a political agenda. Though when it is executed as finely as Roger Shimomura’s paintings are, I tend to pay attention. And then I suppose I am all the more impressed.

The series I am linking to illustrates racist incidents from a variety of sources, including Shimomura’s own experiences, using methods that draw from both historical and modern Japanese imagery. Americana from WWII era cartoons, and surprising imagery from our modern “enlightened” times are also used as source material. Using flat colourful compositions his paintings blend the visual reverences much like his life as a Japanese American has blended his heritage.

From the website:

Several years ago, Roger had a conversation with an art history colleague who was writing a textbook on the history of art. She informed Roger that she had included his name and painting in the chapter on contemporary American art. She also said she could not promise that his name would survive the editing process due to a difference of opinion with her editor, who felt that Roger would be better defined as a contemporary Japanese painter than a contemporary American painter.

Found via Geisha.