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CULTURES OF JAPAN AND AMERICA ON DISPLAY IN
DIVERSITY GALLERY AT PROVIDENCE MILWAUKIE HOSPITAL
June 27, 2006
WHAT:
“Hybridization” by Junko Iijima, exploring the cultural and social underpinnings of both decorative and functional objects on exhibit in the Providence Milwaukie Diversity Gallery at Providence Milwaukie Hospital.
WHEN:
On display through Sept. 12, 2006.
WHERE:
Providence Milwaukie Diversity Gallery
Providence Milwaukie Hospital
10150 SE 32nd Avenue, Milwaukie, Oregon
DETAILS:
Providence Milwaukie Diversity Gallery welcomes an exhibit by Junko Iijima that explores the intertwining of contemporary cultures of Japan and America. This exhibit of digital images on fabric, explores the cultural and social underpinnings of both decorative and functional objects. “Recently I have been exploring traditional cast-iron patterning from Japanese Nanbu Ironware (best known as black iron tea kettle) while considering pop culture forms,” says Iijima. Her work deals with the melding of cultural signifiers from the United States and Japan where she is originally from. “I am attracted to objects that retain their cultural identities, obvious stereotypes. I observe and investigate the mixing of cultures through their commodities; how the objects from different cultures influence and impact one another.” The exhibit, Hybridization, is a scale study funded in part by the Regional Arts & Cultural Council.
Iijima came to the United States in 1988 as a high school exchange student and was fascinated by the college educational systems and diversity of people and culture. She received her master of fine arts degree in metalsmithing from the University of Oregon. In Spring 2004, Junko completed a three-month iron-casting residency at John Michael Kohler Arts/Industry program in Wisconsin.
Currently represented by Bryan Ohno Gallery in Seattle, and Velvet da Vinci in San Francisco, Iijima has exhibited her work in various national and regional shows. She teaches metalsmithing, jewelry and sculpture throughout Portland including at Clackamas Community College.
Providence Milwaukie Diversity Gallery was created to demonstrate Providence’s commitment to diversity. At its simplest, diversity refers to the ways in which we are all different from each other. “Human or biological diversity” encompasses all the differences we are born with or can’t change, such as our ancestry, race, physical ability, body type, color, sexual orientation, gender and age. “Cultural diversity” refers to the differences in what we’ve learned and the choices we’ve made in life, such as the languages we speak, our religious or political beliefs, our family or cultural traditions, our level of education or income, and our marital status. The Providence Milwaukie Diversity Gallery will change quarterly to showcase the diversity in our community through the works of Clackamas County artists. All proceeds from sales go directly to the exhibiting artist. The gallery is curated by the Arts Action Alliance of Clackamas County.
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Providence Milwaukie Hospital, named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in the United States, is part of Providence Health System, the state’s largest health system and second-largest private employer. Providence Milwaukie is a full-service hospital with a 24-hour Emergency Department, Sleep Disorders Lab, and Women’s Health and Family Maternity Center. A center of excellence in wellness and aging, the hospital houses the Providence Center on Aging and Geriatric Assessment Clinic. Visit www.providence.org/milwaukie.
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