Citizen 13660: The Art of Miné Okubo | Skirball Cultural Center

This is a past exhibition

This exhibition was on view at the Skirball
October 8, 2015–February 21, 2016

Citizen 13660: The Art of Miné Okubo presented a selection of archival material and rare original artwork by California-born artist Miné Okubo (1912–2001), who was among the thousands of Japanese American citizens forced to leave their homes and businesses for incarceration camps during World War II. In an effort to document the injustices of the camps, Okubo created nearly 200 pen and ink drawings capturing her everyday life and struggles. These vivid, dramatic drawings were subsequently published as the graphic novel Citizen 13660 (1946), the first illustrated memoir chronicling the camp experience. This exhibition explored this exceptional book and brought Okubo’s personal and historical narrative to life.

Following President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066—issued in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941—Okubo and her family first entered the Tanforan Assembly Center in San Bruno, California, and then the Topaz Camp in Delta, Utah. Despite her identity being reduced to a number—13660 was the government-issued number assigned to the Okubo family—she found ways to account for this period in her life through poignant and insightful images and commentary still relevant today.

Citizen 13660: The Art of Miné Okubo was presented at the Skirball in association with the Japanese American National Museum.

drawing of 2 people having breakfast at a table with a radio in the background — Miné Okubo, [Listening to radio announcement of bombing of Pearl Harbor, with brother Toku, Berkeley, California], 1941. Drawing. Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum, gift of Miné Okubo Estate, 2007.62.

drawing of a group of people gathered in front of a poster that reads 'Evacuation Order No. 19' — Miné Okubo, [Posting of Civilian Exclusion Order/Evacuation Order No. 19, Berkeley, California], 1942. Drawing. Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum, gift of Miné Okubo Estate, 2007.62.

drawing of a man and woman with luggage — Miné Okubo, [Miné and Toku standing with their luggage, Berkeley, California], 1942. Drawing. Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum, gift of Miné Okubo Estate, 2007.62.

drawing of a person entering an empty wooden barrack — Miné Okubo, [Interior view of Miné and Toku’s barrack, Tanforan Assembly Center, San Bruno, California], 1942. Drawing. Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum, gift of Miné Okubo Estate, 2007.62

drawing of women seated in open-stall toilets, using an old gate and a sheet to give themselve privacy — Miné Okubo, [Community toilets, Tanforan Assembly Center, San Bruno, California], 1942. Drawing. Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum, gift of Miné Okubo Estate, 2007.62.

drawing of 2 lines of people lined up at 2 entrances to a building — Miné Okubo, [Waiting in lines, Tanforan Assembly Center, San Bruno, California], 1942. Drawing. Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum, gift of Miné Okubo Estate, 2007.62.

drawing of a woman seated behind a frame while a man uses a camera to photograph her — Miné Okubo, [Posing for relocation photograph, Central Utah Relocation Project, Topaz, Utah], 1942–1944. Drawing. Courtesy of the Japanese American National Museum, gift of Miné Okubo Estate, 2007.62.

print of a person dressed up in warm clothing surrounded by small scenes of daily life — “Greetings from Topaz,” ca. 1942, copy of original drawing, Miné Okubo Collection, Center for Social Justice and Civil Liberties, Riverside Community College District, Riverside, California.

In the News

Citizen 13660: The Art of Miné Okubo exhibition celebrates groundbreaking book
The International Examiner | December 29, 2015