Ann Sugiyama-Gardner, “Family of Origin” and “Imperfect Beauty”

The show will run from March 17 through May 7, 2020
There will be an artist reception Saturday, March 21 from 4-6pm.

The O’Brien Photo Gallery
2833 Willamette, Ste. B
Eugene, OR 97405
(541) 729-3572
Open Tue – Fri from 1-6 pm
Call to be sure we’re open or to set a special viewing time.
email:  picmac1945@gmail.com
web: https://www.waltobrien.net/the-o-brien-photo-gallery

Portland artist and photographer, Ann Sugiyama-Gardner of Mori Hana Studio, will be presenting 2 series of current works, “Family of Origin” and “Imperfect Beauty”.

In her series “Family of Origin” Ann reflects on her experiences as a third generation Japanese-American and what happened to Japanese immigrants during the 1940’s. Through that lens, she calls attention to the Latino and Muslim immigrants’ struggles today.

Many immigrants start with nothing but honest, hard work, to gain a foothold on the ladder of success in America. For her family, December 7, 1941 was the extinction of that day-to-day struggle. Mass incarceration soon followed without due process of the laws of the United States. “What damage was caused to individuals and what are the lasting effects on the family by imprisonment? On me and my family.”

This question lead to a road trip to Poston, Arizona and Manzanar, California, two of the ten “camps” hastily built to incarcerate over 125,000 Japanese/Americans from 1942-1946. The artist’s mother’s family was sent to Poston, Arizona for incarceration. Her grandfather died in prison for, at this time, unknown reasons.

On the flip-side, Ann will present a second series of prints that celebrate color, texture, and light inspired by the practice of Buddhist Mindfulness and the Japanese aesthetic of Wabi Sabi.

She was moved to the practice of Contemplative Photography first by studying Edward Weston’s work then reading Michael Wood’s book specifically about the subject. “Imperfect Beauty” is the ongoing photography project that responds to the act of being present. “Intuitively working this way, my mind is open to whatever images present themselves and quiet my critique brain.”

anngardnerartpdx@gmail.com
https://www.annkgardner.com