The Life and Art of Chiura Obata: An Illustrated Talk by Kimi Hill

Renowned American artist and distinguished UC Berkeley professor Chiura Obata (1885-1975) is widely regarded for his sumi (ink) paintings, watercolors and prints. His seminal work depicting the High Sierra was created nearly 100 years ago in 1927 and was captured vividly in the book Obata's Yosemite. Obata's art and his philosophy of gratitude and reverence to "Dai Shizen"—Great Nature—continues to resonate today with admirers both old and new.

His granddaughter, Kimi Hill, will illuminate his life and art with a focus on Obata’s long connection to UC Berkeley that began in the 1920s. In her presentation Hill will also share the story of her grandmother, ikebana artist Haruko Obata (1892-1989), who taught the classic art of Japanese flower arrangement to hundreds of Americans throughout her career.

As family historian, Hill edited the book Topaz Moon: Chiura Obata’s Art of the Internment, which tells the story of the Obata family, one of among the thousands of Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during WWII. She has consulted on numerous books and exhibitions about her grandfather, including the 2020 retrospective “Chiura Obata: An American Modern” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Chiura Obata, "Spring Rain, Berkeley" (Center Street looking east from downtown), 1930, color woodcut, BAMPFA.

Above: Portrait of Obata by G.Paul Bishop, about1950.

Host or Publisher Berkeley Historical Society & Museum