Eric Bartels speaks to artist Roger Shimomura.
In his signature Pop Art style, Shimomura's paintings uncover and challenge the role of the media and material culture to define the American norm while establishing the perpetual Other. The exhibition features five of Shimomura’s paintings paired with a selection from his extensive collection of Asian stereotypical ephemera, one of the largest in the nation. His collection, consisting of salt and pepper shakers, Halloween masks, assorted toys and everyday household items, and many other objects largely dating between the early twentieth century and World War II, testifies to the pervasiveness of stereotypes and questions their lasting legacy today.
Oregon Nikkei Endowment presents Yellow Terror: The Collections & Paintings of Roger Shimomura. This powerful exhibition is a rare opportunity to view Roger Shimomura's artwork alongside his extensive collection of memorabilia and objects depicting racial stereotypes of Asians and Asian Americans. The collection, accumulated by the artist over the last twenty years, was recently donated to the archives of the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle.
Museum hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 11 am to 3 pm, Sundays noon to 3 pm. Admission is $5 ($3 for seniors/students, free for Friends of Oregon Nikkei Endowment).
Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center
121 NW 2nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
- KBOO