Goddess of Grandmothers 祖母たちの女神 (sobotachi no megami)

2025, earthenware ceramic, 8.5 in x 15 in x 6 in

My two obaachans were Mitsuko Murakami Otani and Yasuko Kawakami Shigaki. These Nisei (second generation Japanese American) women brought nurture, creativity, and cultural reclamation into my upbringing. Their willingness to share stories about their World War II incarceration, and the graceful and fierce ways they moved beyond that period of time provided a path to what is the heart of my art and organizing work.

This piece was based on a prior illustration and created under the wise guidance of Ling Chun at Seward Park Clay Studios.