TSUDA Munehiro
Born: 17 March 1895 – Died: 17 April 1943
Particulars:
Munehiro was born in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. He was a carpenter in Kanaky / New Caledonia, while his wife and mother continued living in Kumamoto Prefecture. When the Pacific War broke out, he was arrested and taken to South Australia and interned at Loveday Internment Camp, where he died of tuberculosis aged 48. His grave is in the Japanese Cemetery in Cowra, New South Wales, Australia.
–Mayu Kanamori
More info:
Liz Hill
Artist/s Statement:
This project inspired me to think about the shared history of Australia and Japan. Reflecting on the life of Tsuda Munehiro has made me think about how young people are sent off to learn a trade, earn their living, and seek adventure. This man was a carpenter and worked in what is now New Caledonia. When the Pacific war broke out in 1941, he was sent by ship to Loveday Internment Camp in South Australia. Somewhere along the way he contracted tuberculosis. He died aged 48, and is now buried in Cowra, New South Wales. I have been thinking about the trees he saw and the timbers he worked with. He never saw his wife or his mother again.
Artist Bio:
Liz Hill practises visual arts after many years working in youth and community services and more recently in the small to medium arts sector. Liz has a Master of Theatre Studies and a Diploma of Visual Arts, and is currently exploring watercolour and acrylic painting, and attempting pottery. Liz recently spent 10 months in Japan and has been inspired by random seasonal words and Nihonga painting.