Title:
Topaz Farm Products
Creator/Contributor:
Hibi, Hisako
Date:
4/27/1945
Identifier:
96.601.32
Format:
painting
oil on canvas
Description:
Framed, stretched canvas. Lush, green still life with orange colored fruit at BC. Framed for exhibition.
Historical Note:
The Topaz agricultural department was created for a few different reasons. It was one way to pass the time during the otherwise
boring days. There were also quite a few professional gardeners in the Japanese American community who put their expertise
to work for the betterment of their fellow internees. The products of the agricultural department provided vegetables and
flowers to the internees. The vegetables were important in supplementing the often mediocre army ration meals served in the
mess halls. The fresh vegetables were thus highly prized by the internees. The plants and flowers also helped beautify the
camp surroundings which lifted the spirits of at least some of those at Topaz. Hibi repeatedly remarked on her admiration
for those who cultivated the alkaline soil of the desert.
Subject:
Concentration Camps, Topaz | still life | agriculture