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Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani
"Fish and Cat" Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani, Vibrant, Colorful, Japanese-American

1998

About the Item

Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani Fish and Cat, 1998 Signed and dated lower left Crayon on paper Sight 17 x 23 inches When Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani, a native of California, returned to the U. S. from Hiroshima, Japan, at eighteen, he aimed to flee the escalating militarism of Imperial Japan and pursue his passion for art. However, World War II dramatically impacted his life trajectory, as he faced unlawful imprisonment by the U. S. government at Tule Lake in California, Crystal City in Texas, and Seabrook Farms in New Jersey, a situation that persisted until 1947. Protesting this injustice, Mirikitani renounced his American citizenship and sought various odd jobs in the post-war era while residing on the East Coast. It wasn't until the 1980s that he resumed creating art, finding himself unemployed and homeless in New York City. Utilizing discarded materials from the streets, he crafted and sold drawings and collages, many reflecting moments from his own history. In 2001, filmmaker Linda Hattendorf crossed paths with Mirikitani, offering him short-term shelter in the wake of 9/11 and helping him regain his U. S. citizenship and Social Security benefits. Her documentary, The Cats of Mirikitani (2006), garnered significant public interest in Mirikitani’s life and his artwork, resulting in a traveling exhibition coordinated by the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, Washington.
  • Creator:
    Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani (1920 - 2012, Japanese, American)
  • Creation Year:
    1998
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 23 in (58.42 cm)Width: 29 in (73.66 cm)
  • More Editions & Sizes:
    Unique WorkPrice: $6,000
  • Medium:
    Paper,Crayon
  • Movement & Style:
    American Modern
  • Period:
    1990-1999
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1841216486762

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