Michelle Kumata
Michelle Kumata is a Japanese American artist influenced by heritage, identity and legacy. She is currently exploring Nikkei (Japanese diaspora) in the U.S. and Brazil through oral histories and visual storytelling.
In 2021, Michelle was commissioned by Meta Open Arts to create Emerging Radiance, an Augmented Reality art collaboration with Tani Ikeda, which brings to life the stories of Japanese American farmers. Emerging Radiance was on display at Bellevue Arts Museum, and then traveled to New York, where it received the 2022 Tribeca X Award for Best Immersive Project.
Michelle's work has been exhibited at the Center on Contemporary Art, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and The Society of Illustrators Museum, New York, NY. Her work is in the collections of Meta, City of Seattle, Asian Counseling and Referral Services and the Library of Congress.
“Unfortunately, the past is the present, as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders continue to be targets of racial attacks. I continue to explore and share our history, as a tool for healing.”
“The Nikkei community has a deep and
complex history with racism, identity, and collective trauma. I try to convey our humanity and give voice, pride, and strength to our people.”
“Having worked for a newspaper and a museum, I want my art to be engaging and accessible. My work honors Nikkei, connecting personal, ethnicity-specific stories to a diverse audience. My hope is that the stories of my community will be acknowledged as part of the American story.
“My work is inspired by history, especially stories that were not told or shared. Many later-generation Nikkei don’t know the stories or experiences of their ancestors. Why? After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 120,000 people of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from their homes and unjustly incarcerated for years. What is the impact when you are targeted because of your ethnicity? Very few adult incarcerees shared their stories. Instead, they tried to shield their children by pushing them to assimilate into American culture so they would not have to face the racism and hatred their elders had endured.”
Emerging Radiance: Honoring the Nikkei Farmers of Bellevue; acrylic paint, wood, and metal frame; 10’ x 10’ x 13.5’.
Diáspora; acrylic, watercolor, pencil, and paper on canvas; 24.5” x 35.25” x 1.75".
Be quiet (Fique quieto); acrylic and pencil on paper; 14” x 11.”
Resilience; acrylic and pencil on paper; 11” x 14”.
Richard Iwao Yamasaki / Black Pine; acrylic and pencil on paper; 14” x 11”.
Amerela;