Jerome camp documentary

Maker Henry Sugimoto (American, 1900 - 1990)

Date1983

Mediumoil, canvas

DimensionsH: 64 in, W: 51.5 in, D: .75 in

ClassificationsFine Arts

Credit LineGift of Madeleine Sugimoto and Naomi Tagawa, Japanese American National Museum

Object number92.97.141

DescriptionStretched;Composite of trials endured in camp. Foreground right, a man in blue is bent under the weight of a large tied box with writing on top, "To Rohwer Relocation Camp," and white tag with family number on his back. A small boy in a black and white striped shirt walks to his left and points with his right hand to the upper left where a ghostly image of Christ bearing the Cross is visible against a background of barbed wire fences, trees and dark cloudy skies. Both face away from the viewer. [Similar to the painting entitled "Thinking about Christ," also by Sugimoto, 92.97.83] In the lower left an elderly couple sits on tied bundles amongst other luggage in front of a barracks. The man, dressed in tan and brown, bends forward as he holds a hat in his lap, while the woman in a dark blue dress with white trim leans forward and holds a book in her lap. Between them, her purse and a filled pail sits on a box while umbrella leans against it. [Similar to the painting entitled "Praying for Safety," also by Sugimoto, 92.97.44] At midground a soldier in uniform and MP armband stands with rifle and bayonet at at barbed wire fence. To the right, a woman in a polka dot dress and apron stands at the gap in fence as she carries a child in yellow on her back and waves goodbye to the soldier leaving camp. A little girl in red waves an American flag next to the post with a sign that reads, "STOP." A man with a pipe, hat and plaid shirt watches from the right behind the fence. The Nisei soldier in tan uniform and garrison cap looks over left shoulder bidding his family farewell as he leaves camp with one blue bag on a path winding past a watch tower with guard and a large sign, "Jerome Relocation Center / War Relocation Authority." The path is grey bordered by brown grass. Upper right corner, vision of a hill with three white crosses against the sky, representing Golgatha - Christ carrying cross toward Golgatha. [Similar to the painting entitled "Sending off Husband at Jerome Camp," also by Sugimoto, 92.97.1]