GOTO Angiro
Born: 10 October 1870 – Died: 14 January 1942
Particulars:
Angiro was born in Gifu Prefecture in Japan. He arrived at Lucinda Point, Queensland, Australia in 1896 aboard the Sendai Maru. He was 26 years old. He never revisited Japan. He lived in various locations in northern Queensland – three and a half years at Ripple Creek, two years in Macknade, two and a half years at Lucinda Point, 22 years at Victoria Mill in Ingham, and then 11 years in Tolga, four years in Edmonton, where he was a single man working as a farmer when the Pacific War broke out. When Angiro was arrested, he handed over 3 pounds 10 shillings to the District Finance Officer in Meanjin / Brisbane. He also had one portmanteau or travel bag, and a bundle of belongings. He was sent to Hay Internment Camp in New South Wales, but was admitted to hospital two days later and died 11 days after that, aged 71. The cause of his death was not recorded in official documents held at the National Archives of Australia. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Sara-Jane Seery
Artist/s Statement:
This picture depicts a merging of elements from the internee’s home prefecture, Gifu. I endeavoured to romantically encapsulate an imagined ‘coming home’. A dreamy landscape of famous architecture and agriculture from Gifu. A peaceful time to rest the soul for an expanse of time. I also embedded the internee number to deliberately scar the artwork, as a reminder of painful experiences, and the possibility of beauty in the healing.
Artist Bio:
Sara-Jane Seery holds Bachelor degrees in Languages and International Business from The University of New England, Australia. She has worked in Japan as a co-ordinator of international relations for the JET Programme. She has continued studying Japanese translation and interpretation at The University of Queensland and contributed to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in various official roles, including with Paralympics Australia. She is passionate about promoting Australia-Japan bilateral dimensions including accessibility, Indigenous studies (Ainu), sports diplomacy, war history, and the arts.