SAMESHIMA / SAMEJIMA Heijiro
Born: 8 September 1882 – Died: 19 May 1945
Particulars:
Heijiro was born in Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. He was working as a merchant in Balikpapan, Kalimantan in Indonesia, then called Dutch East Indies, when the Pacific War broke out. He was taken to Australia and interned with his wife Kimi at Tatura Internment Camp in Victoria, where he died at age 63. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Sophie Constable
More info:
Sophie Constable
Artist/s Statement:
Sameshima Heijiro and his wife Kimi were both born in Kumamoto Prefecture, but settled as merchants in Balikpapan, Borneo, today in Kalimantan. This is a migration route also naturally travelled by sea turtles such as the hawksbill and leatherback. Heijiro and Kimi were both interned together in Tatura Internment Camp in Australia during World War II. Heijiro died one night a few months before the war’s end at the age of 63. Two months later, the battle for Balikpapan began – over 3,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped on Balikpapan during the war. Both Heijiro and Kimi had beautiful handwriting, so I included Heijiro’s signature in his work.
Artist Bio:
Sophie Constable is an artist, scientist, researcher, and educator at The Australian National University in Canberra.