The Tacoma Art Museum presents an exhibition curated by Kenji Stoll that traces the evolution of Japanese visual culture from traditional ukiyo-e woodblock prints to contemporary anime-inspired works. The show features a diverse range of artists, including Roger Shimomura, whose painting "Minidoka No.5 (442)" references the Japanese American 442nd regimental unit in World War II, alongside self-taught artists like VanVan, who contributes manga-style drawings. Stoll himself, a tattoo artist, exhibits a large mural titled "Nikkei Butterfly," which celebrates Japanese diaspora culture through patterns and a samurai warrior motif. Other artists include Ed Augai, Lauren Iida, Hanako O’Leary, and Yoshiko Yamamoto, whose works bridge historical ukiyo-e techniques with contemporary themes of identity, memory, and female empowerment.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the enduring influence of ukiyo-e on modern and contemporary art, particularly within the Japanese American community, while also addressing historical trauma such as the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. By juxtaposing centuries-old prints with works by living artists, the show demonstrates how traditional aesthetics continue to inform and transform popular culture, including anime and manga. It also amplifies underrepresented voices, including self-taught and female artists, and underscores the role of museums in preserving and contextualizing cultural heritage across generations.