TOMA Saburo
富間三郎
Born: 23 January 1890 – Died: 17 April 1945
Particulars:
Saburo was born in Okinawa Prefecture in Japan. He was a single man working as a laundryman in Kanaky / New Caledonia. He had a brother in Shimajiri Gun in Okinawa. When the Pacific War broke out, Saburo was taken to Australia and interned at Hay Internment Camp in New South Wales. He was transferred to Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia where he was admitted to the camp hospital. He was transferred between the camp hospital and the 121 Australian General Hospital a number of times over the next 15 months with tuberculosis, until he died aged 55 in 1945. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Tomoko Stipproweit
Artist/s Statement:
The photo of a rainbow lorikeet sitting in the plants on a tree represents Saburo with his beautiful colourful thoughts and ideas that are ready to soar into sky and fly as far as Okinawa. Two bright flowers were added at the corners to light up the life of Saburo.
Artist Bio:
Tomoko Stipproweit migrated to Sydney, Australia in 2000 from Yokohama, Japan. She originally worked as a travel consultant and now works as an interpreter. In the past she thought that if she could not live overseas, she would move to Okinawa because of her love for its beautiful culture and energetic people.