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Mine Okubo: Following Her Own Road - A Trailblazing Artist's Journey

Frank Butler

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Mine Okubo (1902-2001) was a Japanese American artist whose work explored themes of identity, immigration, and social justice. She is best known for her graphic novel Citizen 13660, which chronicled her experiences in an internment camp during World War II. Okubo's art is characterized by its honesty, emotional depth, and subtle humor.

Mine Okubo: Following Her Own Road

by Kerry Lonsdale

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9402 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	282 pages

Born in Riverside, California, to Japanese immigrant parents, Okubo grew up in a community that often marginalized and discriminated against people of color. From an early age, she found solace in art, and she attended the California School of Fine Arts in San Francisco. After graduating, she moved to New York City, where she worked as a commercial artist and illustrator.

In 1942, Okubo was among the thousands of Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated in internment camps. She spent three years at the Topaz War Relocation Center in Utah, where she witnessed the horrors of internment firsthand.

Citizen 13660

After the war, Okubo returned to New York City and began working on Citizen 13660. The book, which was published in 1946, is a powerful and moving account of her experiences in Topaz. Okubo's spare and elegant drawings capture the loneliness, boredom, and despair of camp life, as well as the resilience and strength of the internees.

Citizen 13660 was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to raise awareness of the plight of Japanese Americans during the war. The book has been translated into more than 20 languages, and it is still widely read and studied today.

Later Career

In addition to Citizen 13660, Okubo produced a large body of work that included paintings, prints, and sculptures. Her art continued to explore themes of identity, immigration, and social justice, and she often used her work to challenge stereotypes and to give voice to the marginalized.

Okubo's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and she has received numerous awards and honors. In 1990, she was awarded the National Medal of Arts, and in 2000, she was inducted into the California Hall of Fame.

Legacy

Mine Okubo was a true pioneer, and her work continues to inspire and move people around the world. Her art is a testament to the power of the human spirit, and it reminds us of the importance of fighting for justice and equality.

Okubo died in 2001 at the age of 99, but her legacy lives on. Her work is still widely studied and admired, and it continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists.

Mine Okubo was a remarkable artist who left a lasting impact on the world. Her work is a powerful and moving testament to the human spirit, and it reminds us of the importance of fighting for justice and equality.

Mine Okubo: Following Her Own Road

by Kerry Lonsdale

5 out of 5