The showers, latrines and laundry facilities were often in the same building, as is suggested here. Often times, people would stay up until very late to take a shower in order to avoid any embarrassement or shame.
--
Description
Unframed, stretched canvas. Image of barrack with chimney and smoke, portion of another barrack at left, casting shadow on right barrack.

Inscription
Signed LR: Hisako Hibi / Oct. 1944

History
This painting demonstrates Hisako Hibi's concern with composition. The focus appears to be less on landscape, and more on shapes creating a sense of pattern. The corner of one bulding is depicted in the foreground and frames the painting at the left. Its shadow falls dramatically across the side of the building at the right. This creates sharp geometric patterns in this work. The viewer is positioned slightly outside of this space, but at ground level. There is no escape out of the closed quarters of this alleyway. Hibi utilizes broader brushstrokes so that there is less modulation of the surface of the canvas.

painting
H: 20 in, W: 16 in
canvas
oil

Topaz, Utah, October 1944

(96.601.49)

Gift of Ibuki Hibi Lee

Hisako Hibi Collection

To see other collections:
Japanese American National Museum Collections Online

Copyright is held by the Japanese American National Museum. Short-term educational use with limited circulation is permitted. For all other uses, please contact the Hirasaki National Resource Center at the Japanese American National Museum (hnrc@janm.org)