Chiura Obata and Therapeutic Art

Born in Okayama-ken, Japan 1885-died at Berkeley, CA 1975

He was one of the most significant Japanese American Born in Okayama, Japan, Obata emigrated to the United States in 1903 and embarked on a career that saw the enactment of anti-immigration laws and the mass incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. He offered workshops to incarceration camps.

Chiru Obata's painting devastation — **Chiru Obata’s painting ‘Devastating’**

It seems to me an inspiring story what he allowed with the art and nature exploration. I have worked with my clients using his art – as a metaphor to express and explore what is going on for them. I have used several websites to access resources such as some of the pictures and information about his work.

evening glow at Lyell, Tuolumne — **Evening Slow at Lyell Fork, Tuolumne**

Some phenomenon explored with clients in our sessions: storm, overwhelm, loss, pain, anger, confusion, trauma, love, intimacy, anchor…is always useful to process and explore. Sometimes we don’t need words to describe or explore it can be a visual art or creativity that gives away the inner phenomenon of what we might be feeling and sensing.

“…a bowl full of joy, clear as the sky, pure as the falling cherry petals, without worry, without doubt…”

a bowl full of joy clear as the sky pure as a falling cherry petals without worry without doubt

Called to art since childhood, Chiura Obata was trained in the traditional Japanese ink and brush painting technique sumi e from the age of seven. Obata was met with the era’s prevalent racial animosity toward Japanese immigrants, who were socially ostracized, denied entry into restaurants, hotels, and entertainment establishments, and legally prohibited from owning land. (brainpickings)

**Upper Lyell Fork, near Lyell Glacier, 1930, color woodblock print**

His art gives the feeling of unsettling feeling he might have been exposed to with racial trauma. There is the softness with rocks and mountains he painted and drew the containing of experiences we go through. Art can be form of grounding. Nature such as mountains, streams, sea, waterfall, sky, trees, has been a powerful source for him and inspiration too.

Death's Grave Pass, 1930, color woodblock print — **Death’s Grave Pass, 1930, color woodblock print**

Website used: Chiura Obata: Alien Enemy and Great American Painter | DailyArt Magazine

His art is so grounding – and bring body to calmness even if it is expressing death and storm but it feels much accepting of the death and storm and gives nudge that we can express and process without getting overwhelm. Racial trauma can cause feeling of rejection, abandon, sadness, frustration, anger and so much however when we are processing it we have the responsibility of looking after ourselves and allow safety within so that body feels regulated. Racism is inhumane and oppressing we have to navigate anti-oppressive space and strategy to allow healing from it. Therapeutic space where you feel yourself and not imposed can give space to open up the wound, and looking after it.