[ Artist’s Statement ]

Hiroshima Rain

The work that is presented here began 10 years ago as a response to the "Hibukusha" (Bomb Survivors) stories that have been voiced since the first atomic bomb was dropped on mankind at Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945.

Many hundreds of "Hibukusha" have brought to the world horrific stories of the sequence of events that unfolded for them, describing through the witnessing of the holocaust that enveloped them. The series of work “Hiroshima Rain” not only in some way becomes a voice for the survivors,  but also a form of passive protest.

My work is based upon an historic event which took place over 60 years ago, and when we think of memory we cannot easily separate the event from the setting. The site over time becomes the symbol of the event itself. The historic place will always remain an active site of memory and contemplation, a place where one can visit sites, speak to surviving victims and reflect on the past.

I work with a variety of materials: crumpled sheet metal, old rusted steel, wire, frames, aluminum, old wood, cloth, stone, etc. It is the confrontation of materials and idea that have developed the most interesting pieces, and it is this continuing fascination with unusual materials and found objects that keeps me returning to the studio.

The images that have been used are mainly double edged and it is through the confrontation and synthesis of these signs, symbols and images with unusual materials and my particular viewpoint of the site that have helped create this series of work.

The work is not based on sensationalism or illustration of a theme, but as the Quakers use a form of passive protest called "Bearing Witness", my involvement is similar in a sense, by viewing the bombs devastation through films, publications, videos, documentaries and visiting of actual sites and speaking first hand with the bomb survivors.

Hibukusha
[ bomb victims ]

Miyoko Matsubara, was a 12 years old, seventh grader at a girls' junior high school when she was exposed to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

She was only 1.2 kilometers from the epicenter helping to clear fire lanes with her classmates.