MATSUMOTO Kumazo
1867-08-20 - 1944-06-29
Matsumoto Kumazo was born in Kumamoto Prefecture. Arriving in Australia in 1894, aged twenty-seven years, he was married with one child, of Buddhist faith and worked laboring as a gardener. He was captured in the coastal town of Shoal Point in the Mackay region on Yuwi Country in Queensland and taken to Gaythorne Internment Camp in Meanjin Brisbane on 18 December 1941, transferring to Hay Internment Camp NSW on 3 January 1942. Just over a year later he was moved to Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia on 11 March 1943 where he subsequently died of a hernia in the camp hospital aged 76 years. His grave is at the Japanese Cemetery in Wiradjuri Country Cowra, New South Wales, Australia. – Helen Miller
Artist:
Helen Miller @hellosookii
Photo credit: Louis Lim - louislzm.com @loui_slim
Artist Statement:
I chose remnant Japanese silk shibori from a range of kimono made into flowers to commemorate Matsumoto’s cultural background and day to day life as a gardener. The flowers are arranged into a silhouette of a dancing figure honoring his Buddhist faith. During an adventure with my mother to her homeland in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island, I experienced the Awa Odori Dance Festival which grew from the tradition of the Bon Odori, a Japanese Buddhist custom honoring the spirit of one’s ancestors. This vibrant celebration featuring a centuries old traditional dance is performed by groups wearing traditional Obon costume and danced through the town streets.
Bio:
Helen Miller started her own fashion label in 2000 and opened her SOOKii Store + Studio in Highgate Hill Brisbane in 2004. Exploring innovative ways of working with textiles inspired by her multicultural heritage, she reimagines vintage Japanese kimono into ready to wear garments, costumes and various objects. This enables Helen to communicate her identity through fashion and art. Helen has also exhibited in local commercial and regional art galleries in recent years.
