ARTIST STATEMENT
The research, titled “Construction of Diaspora Identity and Literature” asserts, “For the survival of the diaspora, there is a need for shared identity among its members. However, for those living in a culture other than their own, without the reaffirmation of identity, concepts such as ‘homeland’ and ‘ethnicity’ tend to fade from consciousness. For minorities, the anchors of ‘homeland,’ ‘ethnicity,’ and ‘history,’ which are norms viewed as immutable, do not necessarily conform to the standard perception. Instead, these visions are constantly evolving, and by continuously affirming their position based on these changes, they maintain their solidarity.
In my practice I am often confronting names, lands, and words. People’s choices are based on inherited judgements and cultures. When asking participants to name objects, or the meaning of an action, their choice of words can reveal the influences of their background and identity. I am interested in the specificity of communication. My work engages a series of tasks involving the ambiguity of bearing witness, dialogue and misunderstanding. I am drawn to that which is the same, but slightly different, which are therefore completely different. In doing so, I am exploring the individual judgment that occurs in a collective space. Conversation between private action, public action, and invisible protest are investigated and placed under pressure. At times these works manifest physical traces of meaning, and the potential of underlying evidence are brought to the surface. Throughout the practice, I react to the present situation and continue to dismantle and reanalyze.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Yumi Erica Fukuda (b. 1996, Shizuoka, Japan) is an artist currently based in Chicago. Fukuda creates installations, performances, and objects based on the culture and life of Japanese immigrants who migrated to Brazil from the 1900s. Through their installation and social practice work, Fukuda is creating a series of tasks involving the ambiguity of bearing witness, dialogue and misunderstanding. They have had a number of exhibitions including Purple window gallery (2023), Bridgeport Art Center (2023), The Plan (2023), SAIC Gallery(2022), Kiso Paintings Art festival at Shinshu Kiso area (2017). Partner school project with Bandung Institute of Technology, Soemardja Gallery, (2017). Awards, Residencies and scholarships include the Ezoe Memorial Recruit Foundation, Arts Division Scholarship(2021), the Musashino Art University Research room award (2019). Uber_bau house research residency(2022).
© Yumi Erica Fukuda